Shavers has career night against UTRGV
LUBBOCK, Texas – The Texas Tech Lady Raiders put on a show in their season opener, picking up a 95-53 victory against the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros on Tuesday night at the United Supermarkets Arena.
The Lady Raiders posted a 62-point first half, the most in a half since Dec. 29, 2018 when Tech put up 63 in the first half versus Abilene Christian. The Lady Raiders also tied their program record for most points in a second quarter after recording 37 tonight. Texas Tech shot 54 percent from the field (36-of-66) and 45 percent from the arc (10-of-22). In addition, the Lady Raiders totaled 45 rebounds for the first time since Nov. 22, 2021.
Tech was led by sophomore Jasmine Shavers, who posted a career-high tying 26 points with seven rebounds, two assists and a steal. Shavers was almost perfect on the night as she shot 9-of-11 (81 percent) from the field and 4-of-5 (80 percent) from the three.
In addition to Shavers, three other Lady Raiders recorded double-digit scoring – Bailey Maupin (16), Elina Arike (11) and Rhyle McKinney (10). Maupin had four assists and a steal, while Arike went 5-of-6 from the field. McKinney continued to shine from beyond the arc as she was a perfect 2-for-2 in 3-pointers. Senior Jordyn Merritt also had a solid game in her Lady Raider debut – totaling six points, four assists, three steals and three blocks.
In the first quarter, Tech shot 61 percent from the field, scoring 25 points as Maupin led the team with seven. Sophomore Kilah Freelon opened the scoring as she recorded Tech’s first points of the 2023-24 season with a layup. The Lady Raiders would follow with an 8-0 run before a free throw by UTRGV’s Iyana Dorsey stopped it. The Lady Raiders kept up the offense, while pressing the Vaqueros – only allowing one point to UTRGV throughout the first 5:10 of the quarter. Tech ended the first quarter in exciting fashion when Arike stole the ball from Ja’shelle Johnson then made a buzzer-beating layup for a 25-6 lead.
The second quarter was lights out on both ends of the ball as Tech score 37 points on 68 percent shooting, while adding five steals and a couple blocks. Both Shavers and Maupin had already reached double-figures in the quarter with 7:52 left to go. Shavers began the second quarter with a 3-pointer to spark a 10-0 run. Sophomore Jada Wynn put up a layup to increase the lead to 41-13 right before Maupin posted a block on Dorsey. The Lady Raiders closed out the quarter on an 11-0 run highlighted by 3-pointers from McKinney, Shavers and Saga Ukkonen, and freshman Kelly Mora’s first career points for a 62-15 advantage.
Shavers posted 10 of the Lady Raiders’ 18 third quarter points as she began the quarter on a 5-0 run for Tech. UTRGV answered with a couple of layups before Shavers hit another three to respond. Halfway through the quarter, Freelon recorded a three-point play after making a jumper then a free throw coming out of the media timeout. The Lady Raiders closed out the third with an 80-34 lead.
Tech scored 15 points in the fourth quarter behind 42 percent shooting. The Lady Raiders opened the quarter outscoring the Vaqueros 6-4. With the 91-45 lead, Arike had the put back after rebounding Ukkonen’s 3-point attempt and getting a good look under the basket. The Lady Raiders would get a three from McKinney with 26 seconds left as they open the season 1-0 with the 95-53 victory.
QUOTES
Head coach Krista Gerlich
Opening statement…
“Really great first win for these girls. Just to come out and have a win like that was great for them, for our program, and obviously for our fans. I was really pleased with the energy that we started the game with and I think you were able to see the pace that we want to play with, and also the defensive tenacity that we want to try to enforce. I thought that the girls really played well in the first half, some of the best basketball we’ve probably played since I’ve been here. I thought in the second half, we struggled a little bit to get back into that rhythm. We didn’t take care of the basketball as well, and we didn’t work together as well, but overall, I thought we got some really good minutes for a lot of people and played really well. Rio Grande Valley, in their defense, they are down several starters and they’re going to be a really good basketball team. So, I just appreciate them coming in and playing us and we wish them the very best and hope that they heal up.”
On increased pace and defensive pressure…
“I was really pleased. When we recruited these kids, that’s what we had in mind, and that’s how we wanted to play. Really since I got the job, it’s been all about our recruiting and getting the right people into place… And we knew with this team in particular that we would be able to extend our defense and play at a faster pace. I was really pleased with that look, especially with our showing in the exhibition game, we obviously weren’t able to do that without Jordyn [Merritt] on the floor especially. And so, I think that tonight was good for them to see the success and how well they played on offense because of their defense.”
Senior #12 Jordyn Merritt
On what kind of swagger to expect from Jordyn…
“You know, it’s funny because I’ve never been that kind of player, but being here and being around the girls who also exhibit that kind of passion for the game, I’ve learned to embrace that. So definitely expect that from me all the time.”
On what it feels like to have this first win…
“It just shows all the work you’ve been putting in the summer and leading up to this game. We’ve worked really hard on building our chemistry on and off the floor. So, it’s just really great to see that all coming together. And you know, everybody has mentioned our press. I feel like that’s something that we’ve really been focusing on. We have the athleticism, the speed and the size to be able to do that. So, it’s just really important that we continue executing each day and showing them what we’re working with.”
Sophomore #3 Jasmine Shavers
On full court pressure…
“We’ve been doing that since the first day of practice, so we were ready for it tonight. It’s nothing new to us. We’re conditioned to do it. So, when [Gerlich] tells us to get into it, we get into it and we ask no questions because we can do it… And we did it tonight. We upped the pressure, we got a lot of steals and turn overs because of it, and it’s something that we’re going to continue to do.”
On her and the team’s performance…
“I had a wonderful night. We came out and dominated from start to finish. Coach mentioned that we did start off slow to second half but that’s what happens when we’re playing our first collegiate game in the season. But, just to come out and dominate and let everybody know that we’re serious about this season… Like Coach said, Rio Grande Valley is a great team, but I think that we did take it and dominated the whole game, and that led me into having a breakout night. But, it all goes to my teammates and my coaches.”
UP NEXT
The Lady Raiders are back at home with a game against Tarleton on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
–TECH–
Release provided by Casey Montalvo Texas Tech Athletics
