Shavers shines in 79-72 win over Rutgers

LAS VEGAS – For the sixth-straight game, both Jasmine Shavers and Bailey Maupin posted double-digit scoring as the Texas Tech Lady Raiders earned a 79-72 victory against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Friday night at South Point Arena.

For Tech (6-0), Shavers tallied a career-high in points with 28 as well as eight field goals, three 3-pointers, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and a career-best 9-of-9 free-throw shooting. Maupin also added a season-best 24 points with four 3’s, 10-of-11 free throws, four boards and a career-high five assists against Rutgers (3-4). This is also Maupin’s first 20+ point game of the season and third of her career.

Kilah Freelon almost collected her second double-double of the year after tallying nine points and nine rebounds, while Saga Ukkonen recorded a career-high eight points on 60 percent shooting. Rhyle McKinney was dishing out assists left and right after tying her career-best of six in the game. As a team, the Lady Raiders totaled 18 assists, 35 rebounds and forced at least 20 turnovers for the fifth time this season.

The beginning of the first quarter went back-and-forth as Rutgers opened the scoring with a layup, followed by a Maupin 3-pointer. The Scarlet Knights started pulling away as they went on a 6-0 run to take an 8-3 lead. Shavers stopped their momentum with a couple of free throws, but Rutgers maintained the advantage after hitting a three to make it 13-7. The Lady Raiders responded with an 8-0 run to end the period thanks to baskets from Maupin, Shavers, Freelon and Jazmaine Lewis.

Rutgers opened the second quarter with the first eight points for a 23-17 lead. Maupin helped score five points for the Lady Raiders when she converted the and one play, followed by two more free throws 20 seconds later. Maupin then knocked down a 3-pointer on the assist from Jada Wynn to come within one, 28-27. Ukkonen came in at the 3:24 mark and immediately sparked a run for Tech after hitting back-to-back triples. Shavers followed with a hook shot and a couple free throws as Rutgers led at the half, 42-39.

Shavers started the third quarter with an and one play – scoring on a jumper then connecting with a free throw to make it 44-42 in Rutgers’ favor. Tech held the Scarlet Knights scoreless for over four minutes until they scored a layup at the 4:48 mark. Ukkonen continued to grind as she posted a tough layup to reach a new career-high in points for the 48-46 advantage. The game was tied at 50-all until Rutgers made a buzzer-beating jumper to go up by two to end the third period.

Both teams were trading points in the fourth quarter as the they totaled three lead changes and two ties. Elina Arike posted a second-chance layup to tie it up at 52-52. Rutgers went ahead, 59-55, on a 3-pointer before Maupin and Shavers answered with back-to-back 3’s for the 61-59 lead. Rutgers’ Kaylene Smikle converted the three-point play to tie the game at 67-all. But, the Lady Raiders connected with clutch free throws as Ashley Chevalier sealed the win with a steal and free throws, 79-72.

UP NEXT

The Lady Raiders will face the Santa Clara Broncos Saturday, Nov. 25 on the last day of the Las Vegas Thanksgiving Classic at 6 p.m. CT in South Point Arena.

–TECH–

Release provided by Casey Montalvo Texas Tech Athletics