Lady Raiders stay undefeated; Defeat Santa Clara in Vegas

LAS VEGAS – Behind an impressive game from freshman Loghan Johnson and another double-figure contest for sophomore Bailey Maupin, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders earned a tough, 61-56 victory over the Santa Clara Broncos on Saturday evening at South Point Arena.

Johnson posted a career-best tying game after totaling six points on 75 percent shooting for the Lady Raiders (7-0). Maupin continued to dominate as she recorded 11 points, her seventh double-digit scoring game in a row, while also adding six rebounds and a career-high seven assists against the Broncos (6-2).

Senior Jordyn Merritt tallied nine points, five boards, two steals and a block in the game. Senior Elina Arike made her first start of the season and totaled seven points and four assists, while Kilah Freelon added eight points and two boards.

The Lady Raiders forced 20 turnovers for Santa Clara and shot 42 percent from the field. Texas Tech remains undefeated overall and at the Las Vegas Thanksgiving Classic Tournament as the team will head back to Lubbock with two victories.

Freelon got the first basket of the game to take the 2-0 lead. Santa Clara answered with a 5-0 run before Arike stopped it with a layup to make it 5-4. The Broncos went ahead 8-4 on their second 3-pointer of the game until Maupin scored five-straight points for a 9-8 advantage. Later in the period and down four, Tech would record the next few points to even up the quarter with 44 seconds left on another Freelon jumper, 14-14.

Santa Clara immediately got things going in the second quarter after Olivia Pollard hit a 3-pointer two seconds in to spark a 7-0 run for the Broncos. Merritt answered with a layup to cut into their lead. Then, Shavers and Merritt posted four-consecutive points to make it 24-20. However, the Broncos went on another run to take the 31-22 lead. Arike hit a couple of free throws, then a long jumper from Rhyle McKinney with five seconds left in the period got Tech within five heading into the half, 33-28.

Ashley Chevalier extended the run into the third quarter when she connected with one beyond the arc as Santa Clara led 33-31. The Broncos then scored five-straight points for a 38-31 advantage, before a layup from Freelon stopped the run and helped Tech to a 6-0 run. Free throws from Santa Clara at the 2:21 mark would give them a three-point advantage heading into the fourth.

Tech opened the last quarter with a three-point play from Merritt after she was fouled on a layup, then connected with her free throw to tie it at 40-all. Johnson came in at the 9:37 mark of the quarter and was a game changer – scoring six points to tie her career high. With 4:31 left, Jada Wynn recorded a key 3-pointer to increase the lead to 49-45, then Johnson helped clinch the win with a layup and one with a minute and a half left to make it 55-51. Tech would then go on to win the game by a 61-56 score to remain undefeated.

UP NEXT

Texas Tech is back at the United Supermarkets Arena on Nov. 29 for a 6 p.m. contest against the UC Irvine Anteaters.

–TECH–

Release provided by Casey Montalvo Texas Tech Athletics