Blacklock shines from beyond the arc in Tech’s win over ACU
LUBBOCK, Texas – Winning their 22nd-consecutive nonconference home game, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders downed the Abilene Christian Wildcats by a score of 66-40 thanks to a 23-point performance from junior Adlee Blacklock on Tuesday evening at the United Supermarkets Arena.
For Tech (5-0), Blacklock was on fire from the 3-point line after knocking down a career-best six threes against the Wildcats (2-3). The Lubbock native posted a career-high 23 points after going 6-for-10 from the field, all of which were 3-point attempts, and 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. She also added five rebounds and a steal in the game.
Sophomore Jalynn Bristow nailed a couple 3-pointers herself and shot 75 percent from the field for a total of nine points. Bristow also had three boards, two assists and a block. Junior Jasmine Shavers had an eight-point performance where she led the team in three different categories – rebounds (8), assists (5) and steals (5) – tying her career highs in both steals and assists.
Junior Sarengbe Sanogo also put up eight points while adding five rebounds and a steal. Sanogo set a new career-best in blocks after tallying six on the night. Right behind Shavers was Denae Fritz in assists, tying her career-best with four and adding three blocks against the Wildcats. As a team, the Lady Raiders outrebounded Abilene Christian 36 to 30, while totaling 17 assists, 11 steals and 10 blocks. The Lady Raiders shot 43.5 percent from the field, as well as forced 26 ACU turnovers and held the Wildcats to just 23.1 percent (12-for-52) from the field.
In the first quarter, both teams’ defenses were getting after it, not allowing a single point for almost four minutes of play. Abilene Christian scored first, getting a jumper and a free throw with it. Then, Jordyn Merritt nailed a 3-pointer to tie things up, before scoring a layup, both of which were assisted by Jasmine Shavers. The Wildcats tied it at 5-all before Blacklock made two-straight threes for the Lady Raiders. Both teams traded points, tying the quarter 14-14.
The Lady Raiders’ defense continued to strike in the next quarter as they held the Wildcats to just two points and 1-of-13 from the field (7.7 percent). Tech would score its first second-quarter bucket when Sanogo posted a layup at the 7:59 mark. Shavers would follow with a steal and a fast-break layup, then Blacklock hit another 3-pointer. At the end of the period, Tech got its last six points from Blacklock as she was fouled on a three attempt, then converted all three free throws. Abilene Christian scored right after – nine minutes into the quarter – for the first time in the period. Then, Blacklock knocked down her career-high tying fourth three to make it 30-16 going into the half.
Shavers scored the first four points going into the second half. Abilene Christian made its first bucket of the period two minutes in, before the Lady Raiders scored sox of the next eight points, highlighted by a Denae Fritz three for a 40-2- advantage. The Wildcats added three more points, but Kelly Mora stopped the Lady Raider scoring drought with a free throw, then Loghan Johnson hit a 3-pointer right after. The Lady Raiders closed out the quarter with a three from Jalynn Bristow to make it 49-26.
The Wildcats made the first basket of the final quarter, before Bristow made her second three. Abilene Christian responded with a 7-0 run, but Blacklock nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to record a new career high in the category. Leading 62-40, Blacklock connected with two free throws to set up a new career high in points, then Achol Magot scored a layup to close out the game and give Tech the 66-40 victory.
Up next, Texas Tech will host the New Orleans Privateers on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. in the United Supermarkets Arena.
Quoteables
Head Coach Krista Gerlich
Opening statement…
“First, that was a very ugly win, but we will definitely take it. I was really glad to see the ball go in the basket for these two kids [Adlee Blacklock and Jalynn Bristow], particularly, but for our entire team… We have not been shooting the basketball well, and it took us a little while to get going, but I thought that Adlee certainly came in and gave us some breathing room, got us some confidence, and then we shot the ball pretty well after that. Obviously, ball security is a huge thing. We’re not doing a good job with that, and we’ve got to address it immediately. Then, also just offensive rebounds… We’ve got to address that immediately as well. But I do think that we’re defending at a high clip. I feel like we’re understanding our game plan. We’re definitely keeping them out of the paint. I thought that we did a great job defending the 3-point line from them tonight, because they’re a really good 3-point shooting team. But, we’ve got to continue to limit second chance opportunities, and that’s giving up offensive rebounds and then turning the basketball over. So, when we figure out those two things, I think this team has a chance to be pretty special.”
On winning on the 25th anniversary of the United Supermarkets Arena…
“That’s fantastic. There’s been a lot of wins in those 25 years, especially from Lady Raider Basketball. We wouldn’t want to disappoint, that’s for sure, but there’s been some special, historical moments. The USA is a really special place, and I think there’s a lot of really great memories from the Lady Raiders and the Red Raiders, both, that have happened out on that court for the city of Lubbock and for Texas Tech University. So, it was fun to be able to get that win on the 25th anniversary.”
#1 Sophomore Jalynn Bristow
On only allowing two points in the second quarter…
“Yeah, I would definitely say that coach’s little motivational halftime speech helped a little bit. But, I really think it is just being able to talk as a team, figure out our flaws, and fix them right then and there… Just by encouraging each other, talking about what we need to and then going out and doing it.”
#8 Junior Adlee Blacklock
On how her shot making helped give the team an edge…
“I think coming into the game, we knew we were going to see a lot of zone defense. I knew my role was to shoot the ball in this game. When Coach Gerlich called my number, that’s what I was subbed in to do. That also gave me the confidence to be able to do what I do best. A lot of other girls shot the ball great today. Jalynn [Bristow] shot the ball great today. We are just a capable, three-point team. Being able to see the ball go through the hoop was great today.”
On the feeling she gets seeing her shots go in the hoop…
“It’s awesome. I black out a little bit because I get so excited. You don’t want to take it for granted. Any shot I make is special to me. It was good today that it happened more than usual.”
–TECH–
Release Provided By Casey Montalvo Texas Tech Athletics