Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Niagara
Grant Shines As Lady Raiders Rout Niagara In Season Opener
November 13, 2015 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 13, 2015 LUBBOCK, Texas -- The Texas Tech Lady Raiders, behind an impressive debut from Junior newcomer Leashja Grant, dominated Niagara, 79-45 in Friday's season opener in front of 5,542 fans at the United Supermarkets Arena.
On Education Day at United Supermarkets Arena, featuring thousands of raucous local elementary school kids, Grant taught a class on low-post play. The Trinity Valley Community College transfer recorded an impressive double-double in her Lady Raider debut, finishing with 26 points and 15 rebounds, to go along with three blocks.
"There were a lot of good things," head coach Candi Whitaker said. "It was a little bit of a tale of two halves this game but I loved how we started, how we played together and the energy we brought on the defensive end--we were able to separate early because of that. As far as it being Education Day, it's the best sound when you're walking down the tunnel and you already hear the buzz. I know it's an awesome experience for our players and we appreciate all the schools, principals and teachers that brought them here today."
The Lady Raiders (1-0) couldn't have asked for a better start to the 2015-16 campaign, starting the game on a 16-0 run, draining shots from all over the floor and forcing 11 first-quarter turnovers. It was 24-8 Tech after one quarter, and the Lady Raiders kept pouring it on. The Lady Raiders finished with their largest margin of victory since Nov. 25, 2012, which was an 81-38 win over New Orleans.
A big THANK YOU to all the schools, teachers, principals and students that made EDUCATION DAY a success! #ENERGY #soooooooLOUD #GUontheCU
-- Candace Whitaker (@CWhitakerTTU) November 13, 2015
"We went from 23 turnovers in the exhibition to 13 today, so for the most part I thought we did a good job taking care of the basketball," Whitaker said. "I didn't think we forced too many things, I thought there was a span of a couple possessions where we were out of control and the ball was flying around, but for the most part I thought we made good decisions."
Grant scored eight points each in the first quarter, second quarter and third quarter. Under the new rules, that will stand as the school record for points in a quarter, and she shares it with Ivonne CookTaylor, who also had eight in the first quarter. 24 of Grant's points came in the paint, where Tech outscored Niagara, 40-18.
"I'm really excited about [Grant]," Whitaker said. "I think she is going to be something we haven't had in the last couple of years inside, with how she is able to catch and finish around the rim and rebound the way she does."
Three Lady Raiders scored in double figures, with CookTaylor (17) and Rayven Brooks (15) joining Grant's 26. Brooks was dialed in from three-point range, hitting three of six. The Lady Raiders hit nine threes in all.
Ryann Bowser led the way in the assist department with seven, four of those coming in the fourth quarter, which will stand as the school record for assists in a quarter.
Tech did most of its damage on the glass, outrebounding Niagara, 47-32. The Lady Raiders had 22 offensive rebounds, only eight off the school record, and turned them into 19 second-chance points, compared to just three second-chance points for the Purple Eagles.
The Lady Raiders will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 21, against Southeastern Louisiana, at the United Supermarkets Arena. The game is set for a 6:30 p.m. tip, and will be televised on FOX Sports Southwest Plus.
Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the women's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/LadyRaiderWBB and @LadyRaiderWBB on Twitter.
