Texas Tech Hosts the Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Tourney
November 25, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 25, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Game 4-6 vs. Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Tourney
November 27-29, 2009 • United Spirit Arena (15,050)
Lubbock, Texas
The Games
Texas Tech (2-1) continues its homestand as it hosts the Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Tourney Fri., Nov. 27-Sun., Nov. 29. On Friday, Prairie View A&M (1-1) faces Texas-Arlington (2-1) at 6 p.m., followed by San Francisco (2-2) and Texas Tech at approximately 8 p.m. On Saturday, USF plays Prairie View A&M at 6 p.m., and Tech takes on UTA at 8 p.m. The games on Sunday are at 12 p.m. with USF and UTA followed by Tech and Prairie View at 2 p.m.
On the Air
The game can be heard on the radio on the Texas Tech Sports Network as Steve Strain (play-by-play) and Crystal Boles (color analyst) call the game. The game can also be heard on the internet at www.texastech.com through RaiderVision All-Access. Live streaming is also available through RaiderVision All-Access and live stats are available through gametracker at www.texastech.com.
The Lady Raiders
Texas Tech is 2-1 on the season after defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 97-57, last Sunday. On the year, sophomore Kierra Mallard paces the Lady Raiders in scoring with a 13.7 average followed by senior Ashlee Roberson at 12.7 and senior Jordan Murphree at 10.0. Mallard is the top rebounder, grabbing 7.3 boards per contest and Roberson is averaging 6.3 rebounds. Roberson is shooting 63 percent from the field, while Barncastle is 60 percent from the three-point arc and Mallard is 84.6 percent from the free throw line. Freshman Monique Smalls have a team-high 14 assists each. Murphree also leads the team in steals with seven. Mallard and Roberson are the top shot blockers with four blocks apiece. Tech is shooting 45.7 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from the three-point line and 65.9 percent from the charity stripe.
The Opponents
San Francisco owns a 2-2 record after losing at San Jose State, 63-51, on Tuesday night. On the year, junior Donnisha Taylor leads the Dons in scoring with a 12.8 average followed by sophomore Rheina Ale at 11.0. Taylor is also the top rebounder, averaging 9.8 boards per outing. Junior Brittany Brumfield has a team-high 12 assists, while Taylor leads the team in steals with six and in blocks with two. Freshman Mel Khlok also has two blocks. USF is shooting 34.5 percent from the field, 26.8 percent from the three-point arc and 75.8 percent from the free throw line.
Texas-Arlington has a 2-1 record on the year as it beat UMKC, 72-61, on Tuesday night. The Mavericks have four players averaging double figures on the year - junior Shalyn Martin at 16.3, junior Tamara Simmons at 15.3, senior Meghan Nelson at 14.3 and senior Kiarra Shofner at 13.0. Freshman Donna Dike is the top rebounder, grabbing 11.0 rebounds a game. Simmons leads the team in assists with 10 and Martin and Dike both have a team-high eight steals. Martin is the top shot blocker with four blocks. UTA is shooting 41.7 percent from the field, 32.5 percent from three-point range and 72.5 percent from the free throw line.
Prairie View A&M enters the tournament with a 1-1 record after losing at Long Beach State, 76-68, and beating Cal State Northridge, 85-70. On the year, senior Gaati Werema leads the Lady Panthers in both scoring at 24.0 and in rebounding at 11.0. Senior Candice Thomas is also averaging double figures in points at 19.0 per game. Sophomore Latia Williams and junior Trinity Robinson lead the team in assists with seven each. Thomas has a team-high nine steals. Robinson and junior Latara Darrett have each registered one block. Prairie View is shooting 44.8 percent from the field, 29.2 percent from the three-point line and 82.9 percent from the free throw line.
The Series
Texas Tech and San Francisco are meeting for the fifth time in the series with the Lady Raiders holding a 3-1 advantage over the Dons. Tech won the last game, 72-61, on Dec. 31, 1995, in Lubbock. USF's lone win came in the series opener, 68-59, on Dec. 6, 1982, in San Francisco.
Texas Tech is 9-2 against Texas-Arlington. Tech's original record was 9-1, but had to forfeit a game during the 1978-79 season. Tech's only on-court loss was in the very first meeting, 82-65, on Dec. 17, 1975, in Arlington. The Lady Raiders were victorious last year in Lubbock, 72-57, on Nov. 23.
The Lady Raiders are 3-0 against Prairie View A&M after the two teams met last year on Dec. 18, with Tech getting a 72-55 victory in Lubbock.
The Coaches
Texas Tech head coach Kristy Curry is in her fourth season at the helm of the Lady Raiders. Curry has compiled a record of 50-48 at Tech and a career record of 229-99 in 11 years. Tanya Haave is in her fourth year as at USF and as a head coach with a career record of 33-61. In her third year as a head coach, Samantha Morrow is 43-22 at UTA. Cynthia Cooper-Dyke is in her fifth season as a head coach with a career record of 72-59 at Prairie View A&M.
The Last Time Out
November 22 - The Texas Tech women's basketball team got back on the winning track by beating Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 97-57. The Lady Raiders led from the get go, going up by as many as 20 points, 44-24, in the first half as Kierra Mallard sank a three-pointer with 1:10 to go. Tech led 44-27 at halftime. The second half was no different than the first as Tech continued to dominate the game. The Lady Raiders outscored the Lady Lions 53-30 the last 20 minutes. Tech's largest lead came with 43 seconds remaining as Marissa Ashton hit one of two free throws to give the Lady Raiders the 97-57 victory. Tech had four players score in double figures led by Ashlee Roberson with 21 points, just one point shy of her career-high 22. Ashton came off the bench to score a career-high 14 points, going 5-for-6 from the field, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Mallard and Jordan Murphree both added 11 points. Murphree was just shy of a double-double as she grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. Monique Smalls dished out a career-high eight assists, while Roberson tied her career high of five steals. For the second time in three games, Tech shot at least 50 percent from the field as it was 33-of-66 on the day. The Lady Raiders also shot 56.5 percent from the three-point line as they knocked down 13-of-23 shot attempts from behind the arc. Tech outrebounded Arkansas-Pine Bluff 51-37. The Lady Lions were led by Shay Holmes with 17 points.
A Look Ahead
The Lady Raiders continue their homestand with games against Texas State on Wed., Dec. 2, at 8 p.m., New Mexico on Sat., Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. and Lamar on Tues., Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. Tech returns to the road for a game at UCLA on Fri., Dec. 18, at 9 p.m. CST before hosting Mercer on Mon., Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. The Lady Raiders finish 2009 by competing in the Tulane DoubleTree Classic taking on North Dakota on Mon., Dec. 28, at 8 p.m., and then will play either Long Island or Tulane in either the consolation or championship game on Tues., Dec. 29 at 6 or 8 p.m. Tech concluded non-conference play as it hosts Savannah State on Sat., Jan. 2, at 2 p.m. on the Texas Tech Television Network.
Four in Double Figures in Win Over UAPB
The Lady Raiders had four players score in double figures in the 40-point win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Senior Ashlee Roberson led the way with 21, just one shy of tying her career high. Freshman Marissa Ashton came off the bench to score a career-high 14 and senior Jordan Murphree and sophomore Kierra Mallard both chipped in 11 points.
Raining 3s
Texas Tech hit 13 three-pointers against UAPB, nearly missing the school record of 14 for most three-pointers in a game. The Lady Raiders shot 56.5 percent (13-23) long range.
Ashton Has Big Day
To go along with her career-high 14 points, freshman Marissa Ashton also added career highs of eight rebounds, two assists and three three-pointers against the Lady Lions.
Stealing the Show
Senior Ashlee Roberson tied her career high of five steals against UAPB. She also had five steals at Oklahoma on March 4, 2009.
Doing Dishes
Texas Tech finished the UAPB game with 25 assists, which marked the first time it had done so since tallying 30 against Miami on Dec. 6, 2004. Of those 25, freshman Monique Smalls dished out a career-high eight assists and did not commit a turnover versus UAPB. In the first two games of the year, Smalls had four and two assists, respectively.
Fifty Percent from the Field, Again
For the second time in three games, Texas Tech shot at least 50 percent from the field. The Lady Raiders were 33-of-66 for 50 percent against UAPB. In its first game of the year, Tech hit 36-of-67 shot attempts for 53.7 percent against Sam Houston State. It was the first time Tech had shot over 50 percent since shooting 57.9 percent against Sacramento State on Dec. 20, 2008.
Freshmen in the Backcourt
Freshmen Monique Smalls and Chynna Brown got the start in the backcourt in their first collegiate game. Smalls started at the one, while Brown got the nod at the two. It marked the first time two freshmen had started in the backcourt in their first collegiate game since Julie Lake and Rene Hanebutt did so against Kent State on Nov. 24, 1995, at the Coors/Rocky Mountain Invitational at Colorado State.
Roberson Snags Fourth Career Double-Double
After scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the win over Sam Houston State, senior Ashlee Roberson has now snagged four double-doubles in her career. It was also the second-straight game for her to record double-digit boards as she finished 2008-09 with 13 versus Oklahoma State in the first round of the Big 12 Championship. Last season, she only had one double-double and it didn't come until the Jan. 31 game against Oklahoma State in Lubbock.
Barncastle Ties Career-High Points
For the third time in her career, sophomore Jordan Barncastle scored a career-high 14 points against Sam Houston State. She hadn't matched that high since scoring 14 against Lamar on Nov. 21, 2008.
Murphree Nearing 1,000 Points
Senior Jordan Murphree is now 81 points shy of the 1,000-point plateau. In her previous three seasons, the Brock, Texas, native had 283 points as a freshman, 323 as a sophomore and 283 as a junior. She has scored 30 points so far this year.
Coaches Have Ties
Head coach Kristy Curry has put together a staff that is very familiar with each other. Curry has ties with all of her three assistant coaches with the first being her husband, Kelly Curry. Kelly has been on both of Kristy's staffs as a assistant coach at Purdue and Texas Tech, while Brooke Stoehr and Shereka Wright were both players for Kristy and Kelly. Stoehr, the former Brooke Lassiter was a guard at Louisiana Tech from 1998-2002 and played one season for Kristy and Kelly when they were both assistant coaches for the Lady Techsters. That year, 1999, Louisiana Tech advanced to the NCAA Final Four. In the spring of 1999, Kristy became the head coach at Purdue and in the fall of 1999 she signed Wright to attend Purdue. Wright helped lead Purdue to the 2001 National Championship game and was named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team.
Murphree and Wright Connection
Assistant coach Shereka Wright and senior Jordan Murphree may have several things in common but one thing for sure is that both had the same high school coach, Skip Townsend. Townsend coached Wright at Copperas Cove High School and Murphree at Brock High School.
League's Top Returning Rebounder
Sophomore Kierra Mallard averaged 7.9 rebounds in 2008-09, which led all freshmen in the league. Entering the season, Mallard was the top returning rebounder in the Big 12 for all classes.
Elite Team
Freshman Mary Bokenkamp was one of seven players from her high school team, Regis Jesuit, last year to sign with a Division I school. The six other players signed with Gonzaga (Meghan Winters), Montana State (Kelsey Roben), Pepperdine (Keyah Shealy), Santa Clara (Ruta Zurauskyte), UCLA (Mariah Williams) and Utah (Diana Rolniak).
International Flair
Freshman Christine Hyde is just the second international player to don a Lady Raider uniform. Hyde comes to the South Plains from Brampton, Ontario, Canada. The first international player for the Lady Raiders was Patrice Edwards (2004-07) who hailed from Trinidad-Tobago.
New Faces
Texas Tech has eight new faces in its locker room this year. Five of the eight are currently active. Freshmen Marissa Ashton, Chynna Brown, Mary Bokenkamp, Christine Hyde and Monique Smalls will all suit up for the exhibition game. Freshman Shauntal Nobles will redshirt this year after rupturing her Achilles during preseason workouts. Sophomore transfer Casey Morris will sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules, and junior transfer Teena Wickett has applied for a wavier to play this season. If the waiver is approved, she will suit up this year, if not, then she will wait to play until the 2010-11 season.
Class Breakdown
The 2009-10 Lady Raiders are young. This year's rosters has just three upperclassmen with three seniors - Tilmila Martin, Jordan Murphree and Ashlee Roberson - and just one junior in Teena Wickett. The sophomore class consists of Jordan Barncastle, Kierra Mallard and Kaylan Talley. The biggest class is the freshmen with five - Marissa Ashton, Chynna Brown, Mary Bokenkamp, Christine Hyde and Monique Smalls.
Team Captains
In a vote by their teammates, seniors Jordan Murphree and Ashlee Roberson and freshman Lindie Kimbro were selected team captains for the 2009-10 season.
Degree in Hand
In May 2009, senior Jordan Murphree graduated cum laude in just three years. The Brock, Texas, native received her bachelor's degree in exercise and sport sciences and is currently working on a second degree in human development and family studies.
On the Tube
Texas Tech will have 12 regular-season games televised this season. The Lady Raiders will appear on ESPNU three times, FSN twice, FSN Kansas City (FSNKC) once and the Texas Tech Sports Network (TTSN) six times. Tech will play Tennessee (L, 53-91), at Texas (Feb. 7) and Kansas (Feb. 21) on ESPNU. The Lady Raiders' games on FSN include Texas (Jan. 16) and Oklahoma State (Feb. 28). Tech's game at Kansas State (Feb. 24) will be on FSNKC. The six games on TTSN are Arkansas-Pine Bluff (W, 97-57), Savannah State (Jan. 2), at Oklahoma (Jan. 9), Colorado (Jan. 12), Nebraska (Jan. 27) and Oklahoma (Jan. 30).
Follow the Lady Raiders
All Lady Raider basketball games can be heard live on the Texas Tech Sports Network. TTSN has put together a seven-station network that offers coverage through the state of Texas and in parts of New Mexico. KJTV/KLZK-Lubbock serve as the network flagship stations. Listen to play-by-play by Steve Strain as he takes the court with the Lady Raiders. The following radio stations will air the Lady Raider basketball games this season:
Abilene/Haskell - KVRP 97.1 FM
Hereford - KPAN 106.3 FM
Hobbs, NM - KHOB 1390 AM
Lamesa - KPET 690 AM
Lubbock - KJTV 950 AM
Lubbock - KLZK 97.3 FM
Plainview - KVOP 1090 AM
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. 10. 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. 4 from 6-7 p.m. The show will air on Double T 104.3 (KTTU FM) locally. The location of the show will be announced at a later date.
Signed, Sealed and Delivered
The Lady Raiders inked four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. This year's class consists of 6-0 forward Kelsi Baker (Mesquite, Texas/John Horn), who is the 12th-ranked power forward and No. 71 overall player by ESPN HoopGurlz, 5-10 guard Antiesha Brown (Clovis, N.M./Clovis), 6-5 center Haley Schneider (Lubbock, Texas/Monterey) and 6-2 forward Ebony Walker (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia), who is the 25th-ranked power forward by ESPN HoopGurlz.
