Lady Raiders Game in the Paint Working Well
December 17, 2014 | Women's Basketball
Texas Tech senior Kelsi Baker has helped revive Tech's game in the paint.
Dec. 17, 2014
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech head coach Candi Whitaker knew this season would be much different than her first year, before the first game ever tipped off in 2014.
A big reason for that is the big players now on the Lady Raiders roster. And now their play on the court is beginning to back up their head coach's claims.
Tech has been a different type of team in 2014 to start the season, relying heavily on the play of its centers and forwards to help carry the scoring load each game. The creation of a consistent inside-out game has helped the Lady Raiders remain perfect at home while outscoring opponents int he paint by an average of 29-17.
Compare that to Tech's first six home games last season when it was outscoring opponents by an average of only eight points in the paint.
"I think we just have been good at executing what we need to do each game," senior forward Kelsi Baker said. "We're all getting better with each game and we just have to keep up that same level of intensity."
Baker and fellow senior Amber Battle's return has brought about a new dynamic to the team as well, allowing Tech to mix things up with its outside shooting as well. Mix in sophomore Minta Spears and freshman Dayo Olabode, and it gives the Lady Raiders four consistent scoring threats on the floor.
Those four are averaging 44 of Tech's 59.5 points per game so far this season. Spears is leading the Big 12 Conference in 3-pointers while Olabode earned her first Freshman of the Week honors after her 19 points and nine rebounds in Tech's 50-42 win on Sunday.
Even when its outside shooting with Spears or junior Rayven Brooks is not working like its last game against Texas-Pan American - the Lady Raiders are still finding ways to move the ball inside to score, and win.
"I think sometimes you do that and you've got to find other ways to get to the free-throw line and make free throws and get it inside," Whitaker said. "You have to get it to the second and third sides, attack and find other ways to keep shooting it with confidence. And we've done that."
