Women's Basketball Hosts SMU on Saturday
December 25, 2007 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 25, 2007
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Texas Tech (11-1) vs. SMU (9-2)
December 29, 2007 • United Spirit Arena (15,050)
Lubbock, Texas • 7 p.m.
The Game
Texas Tech (11-1) plays its last non-conference home game on Sat., Dec. 29 against SMU (9-2) at 7 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena. It is the 45th meeting between the two schools.
On the Air
The game can be heard on the radio on the Texas Tech Sports Network as Ryan Hyatt and Crystal Boles call the game. The game can also be heard on the internet at www.texastech.com through RaiderVision All-Access.
The Lady Raiders
Texas Tech is 11-1 on the year after handing Oral Roberts a 30-point loss, 91-61, on Dec. 18. On the year, junior Dominic Seals paces the Lady Raiders in scoring with a 13.4 average followed by senior Erin Myrick at 12.6, junior Stanecia Graham at 10.8 and sophomore Jordan Murphree at 10.3. Seals is the top rebounder, grabbing 9.0 boards per outing and Myrick is averaging 6.7 rebounds. Myrick is shooting a team-high 54 percent from the field and sophomore Raquel Christian is shooting a team-best 43.5 percent from three-point range. Seals is 74.1 percent from the free throw line. Junior Maria Moore has team highs of 53 assists and 23 steals, while Murphree also has a team-high 23 steals. Myrick is the top shot blocker with 15 blocks. Tech is shooting 46.1 percent from the field, 34.9 percent from three-point range and 67.7 percent from the charity stripe.
Scouting the Opponent
SMU enters the game with a 9-2 record after beating Hofstra, 77-70, on Dec. 21 in Hempstead, N.Y. In that game, senior Janielle Dodds scored a team-high 22 points and sophomore Delisha Wills scored 16. Dodds and seniors Sharee Shepherd and Katy Cobb all finished with four rebounds apiece. Cobb dished out seven assists and Wills tallied five steals.
On the year, Dodds leads the Mustangs in scoring with a 15.4 average followed by Wills at 13.8. Dodds is the top rebounder, averaging 7.7 boards per contest. Shepherd is second in rebounding with a 7.0 average. Cobb has a team-high 29 assists while Shepherd leads the team in steals with 29. Shepherd is also the top shot blocker with 14 blocks. SMU is shooting 41.1 percent from the field, 30.5 percent from the three-point arc and 77.6 percent from the free throw line.
The Coaches
Texas Tech head coach Kristy Curry is in her second year at the helm of the Lady Raider basketball program with a 26-17 record. Curry is in her ninth year as a head coach with a career record of 205-68.
Rhonda Rompola is in her 17th year as head coach of the Mustangs with a career record of 297-190.
Series Record
It is the 45th meeting between these former Southwest Conference foes, Texas Tech and SMU, with the Lady Raiders holding a 40-4 advantage over the Mustangs. SMU won last year's meeting, 72-61, in Dallas, Dec. 30. Tech's last win was a 77-37 triumph Nov. 29, 2003, in Dallas in the championship game of the SMU Hoops for the Cure Tournament. The series dates back to the 1977-78 season with the Lady Raiders winning both games that year: 90-50, Jan. 17, 1978, in Lubbock and 69-33, Feb. 7, 1978, in Dallas. Tech has won 25 of the last 26 games against the Mustangs. The Lady Raiders are 17-1 versus SMU in Lubbock.
Last Time Out
(AP) - Dominic Seals scored a career-best 20 points for the second straight game and had 13 rebounds as Texas Tech beat Oral Roberts 91-61.
Tech (11-1) pulled ahead early and led by 30 points for most of the second half. The Lady Raiders' 91 points was the most they had scored this season.
Mariana Camargo scored a career-high 20 points for Oral Roberts (7-3). The Lady Raiders dominated in the paint. Their post players -- Seals, Erin Myrick and Stanecia Graham -- combined for 51 points and 24 rebounds and hit 17 of 19 free throws.
A 32-8 run midway through the first half gave a solid lead to the Lady Raiders, who shot 63 percent from the field before half. Myrick, who finished with 18 points, was a perfect five-for-five in the half. Tech also shot 4-of-5 from 3-point range.
Tech led 54-23 at the break and stretched the lead to 37 points early in the second half. Oral Roberts then scored nine straight, including five from Jenny Hardin, but the Golden Eagles would only get as close as 27 points the rest of the way. Graham finished with 13 points. Hardin had 13.
A Look Ahead
The Lady Raiders close out their non-conference schedule with a game at Arkansas Sat., Jan. 5, at 2 p.m. Tech opens Big 12 Conference play by hosting Baylor Wed., Jan. 9, at 7 p.m. and then travels to Missouri Sat., Jan. 12, at 6:30 p.m., and Kansas State Wed., Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. on FSNMW. The Lady Raiders return home to play Texas Sun., Jan. 20, at 5 p.m. on FSN. Tech plays at Oklahoma Wed., Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. on Texas Tech Television Network before returning to Lubbock for two games - Sat., Jan. 26, versus Colorado at 4 p.m. on FSN and Sat., Feb. 2, against Texas A&M at 7 p.m.
Curry Captures 200th Career Win
Head coach Kristy Curry captured her 200th career win in the victory over Kennesaw State Nov. 23. Curry enters the game with a career record of 205-68.
NCAA Stats
As of games through Dec. 16, Texas Tech ranks eighth in won-lost percentage at 90.9, ninth in scoring offense at 78.9, ninth in scoring margin at 21.0, 10th in rebound margin at 11.9, 19th in field goal percentage defense at 33.9, 23rd in blocked shots at 5.2, 27th in field goal percentage at 45.8, 35th in personal fouls per game at 15.3 and 43rd in assists per game at 15.8, among all NCAA Division I teams.
Top 25 Win
The Lady Raiders got their first top 25 win of the season as they defeated then No. 18/19 Arizona State, 73-69. The Sun Devils are the first top 25 team Tech has faced so far this season. Last year, the Lady Raiders beat three top 25 teams (UCLA, Texas, Nebraska).
Fifth Double-Double for Seals
Junior Dominic Seals recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 20 points and 13 rebounds in the win over Oral Roberts. The 20 points tied her career high, which she also scored in the previous game against Arizona State.
Doing Dishes
Junior Maria Moore dished out eight assists versus the Golden Eagles, just one assist shy of tying her career high of nine. On the year, Moore is averaging 4.8 assists per game.
Shooting 50 Percent or Better
For the third time this season, the Lady Raiders shot 50 percent or better from the field. Tech shot 50 percent against Oral Roberts, connecting on 31-of-62 shot attempts. The Lady Raiders shot a season-high 58.5 percent against Northeastern and 54.7 percent at Washington State earlier this season.
Seals Scores Career-High Points
Junior Dominic Seals scored a career-high 20 points to lead the Lady Raiders in the victory over Arizona State. Her previous career high was 19 points against Northeastern back in November.
Moore Ties Career High
Junior Maria Moore chipped in 14 points against the Sun Devils, which tied her career high in points. Moore also had 14 points in the season opener against UCF in Orlando, Fla.
Rumph Grabs Career-High Boards
After sitting out two games to rest a sore knee, junior Alana Rumph grabbed a career-high four rebounds in just six minutes of play versus Arizona State.
Season Low Turnovers
Texas Tech committed just 11 turnovers in its win against Arizona State. The previous season low was 13 against Idaho State and Alcorn State.
Pour Shooting Results in First Loss
The Lady Raiders shot a season-low 33.8 percent from the field as they suffered their first loss of the season to Houston, 66-63, on Dec. 4. Tech was just 24-of-71 from the field against the Cougars.
Seals Produces Fourth Double-Double
Junior Dominic Seals produced her fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 14 rebounds versus Houston. It was her first double-double in seven games after starting the season with three-straight. Seals also tied her career-high three blocks.
Big 12 Rookie of the Week
Junior Stanecia Graham was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week for her performances Nov. 26-Dec. 2. Graham averaged 19 points and eight rebounds in Texas Tech's two wins that week.. The Aurora, Ill., native had career highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds for her first career double-double against Sam Houston State. She also tied her career-high two blocks in her first starting assignment. Graham shot 70 percent from the field (7-10) versus the Bearkats. At Washington State, the 6-1 junior forward came off the bench to tie her career high of 19 points, while adding six rebounds and shooting 69.2 percent from the field (9-13).
Largest Margin Victory
Texas Tech won at Washington State, 89-45, marking its largest margin of victory this season. It was also the Lady Raiders' biggest win on the road since beating Colorado, 87-41, in Boulder on Jan. 15, 2005.
Longest Double-Figure Win Streak Since 1994-95
Texas Tech won its first nine games this season by double figures, which was the longest double-figure winning streak since winning 17-straight games by 10 or more points during the 1994-95 season.
Scoring Points
Texas Tech has scored at least 72 points in its 11 wins this year, already surpassing last year's total (seven times) of 70 or more points in a game. Last season, the Lady Raiders scored 70-plus points just seven times with a record of 6-1 in those games. The one loss was the only game Tech scored 80-plus points, which was an overtime loss at Oklahoma (86-81). So far this year, Tech has scored 80 or more points six times, including 90 points against Alcorn State and a season-high 91 points versus Oral Roberts.
Moore Dishes Out High
Junior Maria Moore dished out a career-high nine assists at Washington State breaking her old high of eight, which she had twice earlier this season.
Second Time Over 50 Percent
For the second time this season, the Lady Raiders shot over 50 percent from the field as they shot 54.7 percent (35-64) at Washington State. Tech shot 58.5 percent against Northeastern in its second game of the season.
Stanecia and Keisha Have Career Night
Juniors Stanecia Graham and Keisha Walker both put up career-high numbers against Sam Houston State. Graham recorded her first double-double of her career with career highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds. She also tied her career-high two blocks. Walker scored a career-high 18 points and hit a career-high two three-pointers, while tying her career highs of eight rebounds and four assists. Graham then tied her career-high 19 points in the next game at Washington State.
Murphree Finishes with First Career Double-Double
Sophomore Jordan Murphree had her first double-double of her career against Sam Houston State as she scored 13 points and grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds. Murphree also finished with five assists, three steals and a block.
Career-High Boards for Christian and Roberson
Sophomores Raquel Christian and Ashlee Roberson both had eight rebounds versus Sam Houston State - career highs for both. Christian's previous high was four on four occasions in her career, while Roberson also had four rebounds three times just this season. Christian tied her career-high four assists and tallied a career-high three steals against the Bearkats. Roberson tied her career-high two steals as well.
Scoring Streak for Seals
Junior Dominic Seals started off her career as a Lady Raider on a seven-game double-digit scoring streak. Seals has scored in double figures in eight of 10 games this year. The first game she did not score double-digits was against Sam Houston State, which she rested a sore foot the first half and then played just nine minutes in the second half.
Myrick, Seals Honored at Basketball Travelers Classic
Senior Erin Myrick was named MVP of the Basketball Travelers Classic as she averaged 16.7 points and six rebounds, while shooting 80 percent from the field in Tech's three wins. She also tallied seven blocks. Junior Dominic Seals was named to the all-tournament team after she averaged 14 points and 7.7 rebounds, and shot 57.7 percent from the field.
Christian Sinks Career-High Threes
Sophomore Raquel Christian was perfect from three-point range against Alcorn State. Christian sank a career high in three-pointers as she was 5-for-5 from behind the arc. Her 15 points were also a career high.
Five in Double Figures
Texas Tech had five players score in double figures against Alcorn State, a first this season. Senior Erin Myrick and sophomore Raquel Christian led the way with 15 points apiece followed by junior Stanecia Graham with 13, junior Maria Moore with 12 and junior Dominic Seals with 10.
Starters Put Up Numbers
Four of five starters combined for 56 of Tech's 78 points in the win over Kennesaw State. Junior Dominic Seals led the way with 18 points, while senior Erin Myrick added 15. Juniors Maria Moore and Keisha Walker had 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Myrick Ties Career-High Blocks
Senior Erin Myrick tied her career-high four blocks against Kennesaw State. It marked the fourth time in her career that she has recorded four blocks in a game.
Fine Line for Moore
Junior Maria Moore produced a "fine line" versus Kennesaw State. The Sparks, Nev., native had 13 points, career-high five rebounds, tied career highs of eight assists and three steals and added a block.
Takeaways for Murphree
Sophomore Jordan Murphree snatched a career-high five steals versus Kennesaw State. Her previous career-high was four on two occasions as a freshman.
40-Point First Halves
The Lady Raiders' 40 points in the first half against Kennesaw State marked the third time this season they have scored at least 40 going into the locker room. That equaled the number of times Tech scored 40 points in the first half all of last year. Tech has scored 40-plus first half points six times this season.
Roberson Spark Against Idaho State
Sophomore Ashlee Roberson was a spark off the bench for the Lady Raiders against Idaho State. The San Antonio, Texas, native scored a career-high 11 points and tied her then career-high four rebounds in just 14 minutes.
Myrick Pours in 20
Senior Erin Myrick had her first game of the season of 20 or more points. Myrick scored a season-high 20 points in the win over Idaho State.
Block Buster
Junior Dominic Seals swatted a career-high three blocks against Idaho State. Her previous career high was two, which she had done twice earlier this season.
Another Four
Texas Tech had another game of four players scoring in double figures. This time, senior Erin Myrick led the way with 20 points followed by junior Dominic Seals with 14, sophomore Jordan Murphree with 13 and sophomore Ashlee Roberson with 11.
Graham Has First Career Day
Junior Stanecia Graham scored a then career-high 16 points in Tech's win at UNLV. The Aurora, Ill., native also finished with a then career-high of nine rebounds and career-high two blocks in 19 minutes of action.
First Double-Double for Myrick
Senior Erin Myrick put up her first double-double of the season with 14 points and a season-high 11 rebounds at UNLV.
Mighty Murphree
Sophomore Jordan Murphree scored a season-high 18 points at UNLV, just missing her career high of 19 points - which she had at Texas A&M last season. Murphree was 7-of-8 from the field. She also tied her season high of five assists.
Second Half Comebacks
Twice this season the Lady Raiders have been down seven points at halftime and come back to win. The first occurred at UCF and the second came at UNLV. At UCF, the Lady Raiders out-scored the Knights 46-24 as they shot 52.9 percent in the second period. At UNLV, Tech shot 56.7 percent the last 20 minutes and out-scored the Lady Rebels 54-32.
New Faces
Seven junior college transfers grace this year's roster and two players who redshirted last season. Dominic Seals (Dallas), the 2007 State Farm/WBCA Junior College Player of the Year from South Plains College is joined by fellow SPC teammates Alana Rumph (Keller) and Ashlee Roberson (San Antonio). From Cloud County Community College is Stanecia Graham (Aurora, Ill.), and from the College of Southern Idaho is Maria Moore (Sparks, Nev.). Keisha Walker (Kansas City, Mo.) played two years at Fort Scott Community College, while Kaylan Talley (Waco) played one year at Clarendon College. Roberson and Talley both have three years of eligibility. Talley will redshirt this year after tearing her ACL during the summer. Sophomore Maddy Brown will see action after redshirting last season after transferring from Pittsburgh, and junior walk-on Kalee Davidson also redshirted last year after playing two years at UC Irvine. Brown will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks to start the season after breaking her right foot.
Class Breakdown
This year's team consists of just one senior - Erin Myrick, while there are eight juniors - Kalee Davidson, Stanecia Graham, Teddy Griffin, Tiny Henderson, Maria Moore, Alana Rumph, Dominic Seals and Keisha Walker. The sophomore class consists of six - Maddy Brown, Raquel Christian, Jordan Murphree, Ashlee Roberson, Kaylan Talley and Natalie Thomas.
Across the Nation
The 16 Lady Raiders hail from five states across the country with 11 coming from the state of Texas. Sophomore Maddy Brown is from the furthest east, hailing from Honeoye Falls, N.Y., while senior Erin Myrick is from the furthest west coming from Duarte, Calif. Junior Stanecia Graham is from Aurora, Ill., and junior Keisha Walker calls Kansas City, Mo., home. Junior Maria Moore's hometown is Sparks, Nev.
South Plains Connection
Three current Lady Raiders were teammates at South Plains College before arriving at Texas Tech. Juniors Dominic Seals and Alana Rumph played two years for the Lady Texans, while sophomore Ashlee Roberson was there for one season. South Plains College has been a pipeline for the Lady Raiders over the years as several standouts have played at SPC prior to being a Lady Raider, including Sheryl Swoopes, Angie Braziel and Aleah Johnson, just to name a few.
Seeing Double
Two players on this year's roster have twin sisters. Junior Stanecia Graham has a twin sister, Alicia, while junior Kalee Davidson has a twin sister, Kristee.
Preseason Honors
Junior Dominic Seals was named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year, which was voted on by the league coaches.
Degree in Hand
Senior Erin Myrick graduated cum laude in May 2007 with a degree in broadcast journalism with minors in English and Spanish. Myrick is currently working on a second degree in public relations with a minor in general business.
On the Tube
Texas Tech has 14 regular-season games televised this season. The Lady Raiders will play on ESPN2 once, FSN three times, FSNSW once, FSNMW once and the Texas Tech Television Network eight times. Tech plays at Kansas State (Jan. 16) on FSNMW. On FSN, Tech plays Texas (Jan. 20), Colorado (Jan. 26) and at Baylor (Feb. 9). The Lady Raiders play on FSNSW at Texas (Mar. 5). Tech's ESPN2 game is at Texas A&M (Feb. 17). The Lady Raiders have games against IPFW (W, 72-51), Alcorn State (W, 90-55), Sam Houston State (W, 84-51), Houston (L, 63-66), Oral Roberts (W, 91-61) at Oklahoma (Jan. 23), Kansas (Feb. 20) and Oklahoma (Feb. 27) on the Texas Tech Television Network.
Follow the Lady Raiders
All Lady Raider basketball games can be heard live on the Texas Tech Sports Network on KFYO-AM 790 and KKCL-FM 98.1 locally. Listen to play-by-play by Ryan Hyatt as he takes the court with the Lady Raiders. The following radio stations will air the Lady Raider basketball games this season:
Haskell/Abilene - KVRP-FM (97.1)
Hereford - KPAN-AM/FM (860/106.3)
Lamesa - KPET-AM (690)
Lubbock - KFYO-AM/KKCL-FM (790/98.1)
Plainview - KVOP-AM (1090)
Lady Raider Basketball with Kristy Curry
Kristy Curry's weekly television show, Lady Raider Basketball with Kristy Curry, will be televised every Sunday starting Jan. 6. The show will air on FOX34 at 10 p.m. and My Lubbock TV at 10:30 p.m.
The Kristy Curry Radio Show
The Kristy Curry Radio Show will be held each Monday starting Jan. 7 from 6-7 p.m. The show will air on KFYO-AM 790 locally. The show will be held at Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar located at 4th and Milwaukee.
