Texas Tech Basketball: Lady Raiders top SMU in second round of WNIT

The Texas Tech Lady Raiders were back in front of their home crowd at the United Super Markets Arena for round two of the Women’s NIT on Monday. Thanks to three players putting up double-digits, Tech won 61-49 to advance to the third round. This is the farthest any Lady Raider team has gone in a postseason tournament since 2012.

Tech picked up right where they left off in round one, taking control early. The Lady Raiders shot 53.3% from the field in the first quarter and led 18-11 heading into the second. Bre’Amber Scott scored seven in the quarter, finishing with 11 for the game. Tech led by as much as 12 in the second quarter thanks to Katie Ferrell and Bailey Maupin scoring at will inside. At the half, the Lady Raiders held a 31-20 lead.

In the second half, SMU adjusted and the Lady Raiders faced their toughest quarter of the tournament. The Mustangs mounted a 13-0 run led by their best player, Jasmine Smith, and senior forward Savannah Wilkinson. As a result, SMU took their first lead at 33-31 midway through the quarter.

Fortunately, it did not take long for the Lady Raiders to storm back. After retaking the lead on a Maupin three-point play, the freshman and Bryn Gerlich paced the team through the third quarter. Free throws told the story of the third as Tech shot 8-9 at the line, finishing by shooting 76% on free throws for the game. Thanks in large part to their work at the line, the Lady Raiders held a five-point lead heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter was highlighted by more great shooting from the home team. Tech went on a quick 6-0 run at the start to push their lead back to double digits. Scott, Maupin, and Gerlich each helped put the finishing touches on a second-round win. Maupin finished with a game-high 21 points and Gerlich finished with 10, helping Tech secure another WNIT win 61-49.

For Krista Gerlich and her team, the WNIT Super 16 awaits thanks to great play from their top players in the first two games. Scott was the only player on the roster in the regular season to average double digits in points per game, but Maupin and Gerlich have certainly provided much-needed help and elevated their game during this stretch. While Scott and Gerlich are both seniors, Maupin has turned heads already during her freshman season. If Gerlich can find ways to continue to build around her, this team could be great in the near future.

The real challenge in this tournament arguably begins now as Tech will face Arkansas in round three. The Razorbacks made quick work of their first two tournament foes, defeating Louisiana Tech 69-47 and dominating Stephen F. Austin 60-37.

Arkansas started off their season an impressive 13-0 before losing their next three. Two of the losses came against ranked Oregon and LSU. The rest of the SEC schedule proved to be no friend as the team finished with a 7-9 conference record and a 23-12 overall mark. Arkansas also has four players averaging double digits led by senior forward Erynn Barnum who is putting up 15.6 per game.

This will be the program’s first appearance in the third round of the WNIT since 2012 when they lost to San Diego. Gerlich and the Lady Raiders have a great chance to go beyond that if the winning formula sticks. This will be their first road game of the tournament as they will play the Razorbacks in Fayetteville on Friday at 7 P.M.