Lady Raiders open conference with road win over Houston

HOUSTON, Texas – Behind a 23-point game from sophomore Jada Wynn, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders got their first road conference win in 11 years after defeating the Houston Cougars, 79-71, on Saturday afternoon in Fertitta Center.

Wynn led the Lady Raiders (12-2, 1-0 Big 12) in scoring as she collected her first 20+ point game in her career with a career-best 23 points and six 3-pointers while going 5-of-5 at the free throw line against Houston (9-3, 0-1 Big 12). Sophomore Bailey Maupin recorded 19 points in the game on 60 percent shooting while adding three rebounds, steals and assists.

Two more Lady Raiders scored in double figures as Kilah Freelon had 10 points with three boards, a block and three steals and Jasmine Shavers posted 10 points with six rebounds and two assists. Jordyn Merritt tallied seven points and six boards while also adding a block and two assists against the Cougars. As a team, the Lady Raiders forced 22 turnovers and shot 24-of-44 from the field (54.5 percent) and 10-of-19 from the 3-point line (52.6 percent).

Shavers started the first quarter with a bang after hitting a 3-pointer. Houston answered with a 4-0 run before Maupin hit another three for the Lady Raiders to take a 6-4 lead. Freelon sparked a 10-0 run over the next three minutes for Tech after making a couple free throws, then Wynn connected with her first one from behind the arc in the game as Tech led 18-8. The Lady Raiders ended the quarter on an 8-0 run when Freelon made two free throws, then Wynn put up two more 3-pointers for the 31-12 advantage. In the period, Tech shot 10-of-13 from the field (76.9 percent), forced seven turnovers, recorded seven assists and was two points shy of tying a program record for points in the first quarter.

Houston began the second quarter strong as they scored the first six points. Merritt stopped the run when she posted a layup, then Freelon blocked a shot for the Lady Raiders at the 7:50 mark. Both teams went back-and-forth in the ensuing minutes before both Wynn and Loghan Johnson hit two 3-pointers to increase the lead to 46-25. With a minute left, Ashley Chevalier scored the team’s eighth three of the game as Tech went into the half with a 51-33 advantage.

It was a low scoring third quarter to begin as the Lady Raiders did not score until two minutes in when Maupin connected with a free throw. At the 6:45 mark, Wynn was fouled trying to shoot a 3-pointer and would then make her next three at the free-throw line as Tech held the 55-37 advantage. Houston went on a 9-2 run to follow before Shavers scored a second chance layup. Then, Merritt would steal the ball and score on the fastbreak to make it 60-46. The Lady Raiders got more points from Shavers and Wynn before the period ended with a 65-53 Tech lead.

Maupin started the final period with a layup to increase Tech’s lead to 14. The two teams traded points until Freelon made another layup for the Lady Raiders. Houston kept it close, as they outscored Tech 18-14 in the quarter, but the Lady Raiders closed out the game to win their first road conference opener in 11 years by a 79-71 score.

UP NEXT

The Lady Raiders continue conference play at home with a game against No. 5 Texas on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 6 p.m. in the United Supermarkets Arena.

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Release Provided by Casey Montalvo Texas Tech Athletics