Texas Tech Athletics
Texas State
Lady Raiders Hang on to Beat Texas State
December 02, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 2, 2009
LUBBOCK, Texas - Despite being outscored 13-0 the final three and half minutes of the game, the Texas Tech women's basketball team hung on to beat Texas State, 75-71, tonight at the United Spirit Arena.
The first half was a tight one as Tech's (6-1) biggest lead was only eight points. Texas State (2-4) scored the first bucket of the game, which was its only lead of the contest. The Lady Raiders' eight-point advantage came at 16-8 when Kierra Mallard hit a jumper at 12:54. The Bobcats got within one twice, the last coming with three and half minutes remaining in the period at 25-24. From there, Tech outscored Texas State 16-10 to take a 41-34 lead at the half.
The Lady Raiders came out in the second half and scored the first five points to take a 12-point lead at 46-34 on a layup by Tilmila Martin. Texas State cut the lead to five, 48-43, at 15:19 on a layup by Verinus Kalu. With 5:48 to go in the game, Tech went up by 11 on a layup by Mallard and had a double-digit lead for the next two minutes, including its largest lead of the game of 17 points at 75-58 with 3:36 to go on a layup by Jordan Murphree. That basket was the last one the Lady Raiders scored as the Bobcats went on to score 13-straight points to end the game.
Mallard led all players with 25 points, a career high, while Murphree added 13 points. Ashlee Roberson recorded her second double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Monique Smalls added a career-high 10 points.
Anna Brzozowski had 14 points to lead Texas State.
The Bobcats outshot Tech from the field - 54.5 percent to 43.5 percent, while both teams ended the game with 33 rebounds apiece.
The Lady Raiders continue their homestand as they host New Mexico on Sat., Dec. 5, at 2 p.m.
