Texas Tech Athletics
8-1,0-0Big 12
Missouri State
4-3,0-0MVC
Shavers, Maupin eclipse 900 career points
November 30, 2024 | Women's Basketball
SAINT THOMAS, V.I. – Two Lady Raiders eclipsed 900 career points as Texas Tech took down the Missouri State Lady Bears in a thriller, 72-69, on Saturday night at the Elridge Wilburn Blake Sports and Fitness Center to conclude the Paradise Jam tournament. Texas Tech will leave the U.S. Virgin Islands with two wins and an 8-1 overall record.
Junior Jasmine Shavers had a career night as she recorded her first 30-plus point performance with a career-best 32 points. She shot 58.9 percent from the field after knocking down a career-high 10 field goals and 10 free throws. Shavers led the way with five rebounds while adding a team-best three steals. With 32 points against the Lady Bears (4-3), Shavers now totals 914 career points.
Junior Bailey Maupin also recorded her 900th point in the game after scoring 14 points on 50 percent shooting (7-for-14). Maupin, who totaled her eighth double-figure scoring game this year, led the team with three assists and tallied four rebounds. Junior Kilah Freelon shot a perfect game as she went 4-for-4 from the field for nine points. Freelon also picked up four boards, two assists, a steal and a team-leading two blocks. Senior Jordyn Merritt also had a great game – totaling six points with four rebounds, two assists and team-highs in both blocks (2) and steals (3).
The Lady Raiders had back-to-back games with their best shooting so far this season. In yesterday's contest against Gonzaga, Texas Tech shot what was then a season-high, 46.4 percent from the field (26-for-56). Tonight, the Lady Raiders shot 58.3 percent after going 28-for-48 from the field. The last time they shot above 50 percent from the field was in January against conference-foe Houston in Lubbock. In addition, Tech forced 20 Missouri State turnovers while adding 13 steals and six blocks.
Both teams started the game with solid defense as no team scored until the 6:51 mark when Merritt made a second-chance layup off an offensive board. Then, Merritt grabbed a steal which led to a layup from Sarengbe Sanogo. Jada Wynn was able to block a Lady Bear shot right after before the media timeout ensued. Maupin made it 6-0 with a fastbreak layup before Missouri State scored its first points. Shavers answered with a turnaround jumper, then scored a layup thanks to a steal. Shavers nailed a 3-pointer, then the Lady Bears followed with one of their own. Missouri State scored the last four points of the quarter to cut into Tech's lead at 15-11.
Tech went on a 4-2 run early in the second period thanks to buckets from Adlee Blacklock and Maupin. However, the Lady Bears were able to tie the game at 21-21 after going on a 6-0 run heading into the media timeout. After that, Wynn connected with a free throw and Jalynn Bristow made a jumper for the 24-23 advantage. But, the Lady Bears scored 10 of the next 14 points to close out the quarter and lead 33-28 after two.
Shavers scored a free throw to begin the third quarter, then both teams traded points until Maupin and Wynn scored the next four points to make it 35-37. At 5:35, Shavers nailed another free throw, then Merritt followed with two more 10 seconds later to cut the deficit to one. At the 4:37 mark, Maupin made a layup to hit 900 career points. Merritt and Denae Fritz would score a couple buckets to give Tech a 46-43 advantage. The Lady Raider defense forced a timeout before Missouri State got a five-second turnover. Then coming out of it, Fritz stole the ball and dished it to Freelon for two. The Lady Bears would go on an 8-0 run to lead by three. However, Shavers would score five-consecutive points to give herself 900 in her career as well as Tech the 52-51 lead.
In the final quarter, Maupin hit another jumper before Missouri State responded with a layup. Both teams kept trading points one after another – as free throws from the Lady Bears put them within two. Freelon would score a layup and convert the free throw for a successful and-one play, but Missouri State scored the next four points as Tech led 63-62. The Lady Bears hit a last second three to go ahead, 65-63, with 3:38 left in the game. Shavers hit right back – nailing a 3-pointer of her own 10 seconds later to retake the lead. MSU would score another layup before Freelon added a second-chance one right after as Tech held a slim advantage. Shavers would go on to make two more free throws for a new career high in points before Merritt got a block and rebound to give the Lady Raiders possession with 38 seconds left. The Lady Bears made a couple of free throws to make it a one-point game with 11.4 seconds left, but Shavers sealed the win with two free throws as Tech finished with a 72-69 victory.
Up next, the Lady Raiders are back at home as they host Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday, December 3 at 6 p.m. in the United Supermarkets Arena.
