Tech women make short work of UTSA

The Texas Tech women’s basketball team didn’t need ACME earthquake pills or rocket-propelled roller skates to defeat the Roadrunners on Wednesday at United Spirit Arena.

But Texas-San Antonio probably felt like it had an anvil dropped on its head after a 34-4 run by the Lady Raiders during the first half.

Tech recovered from an 0-for-11 shooting performance to start the game and went on to down UTSA 83-43 to conclude a seven-game homestand. The victory was Tech’s most complete and decisive win this season.

“It just felt like everything was clicking tonight,” said freshman Kelsi Baker, who came off the bench to score a career-high 12 points. “Everyone was going to the boards. Everyone knew where each other was going to be and there was that sense of camaraderie. We needed that win.”

Tech (8-0) trailed 8-4 nearly six minutes into the game before going on the commanding run to claim a 40-15 halftime lead.

The run was spurred by the Tech bench. By the first media timeout, 10 different players had already checked in for the Lady Raiders, including Baker.

“I think once I got in I kind of felt the pace of the game,” Baker said. “I felt more in control than any other game.”

Baker, who was a top-100 prospect out of high school, has worked her way to the top of coach Kristy Curry’s rotation after being slowed at the start of the season by an ankle injury.

Baker missed Tech’s first 19 practices and was limited during the team’s four August exhibition games in Canada.

“It’s so good to see,” Curry said of Baker’s rise. “She understands how much she can help our team. You’re starting to see the opportunity for her to practice and get into the swing of things pay off.”

Many of the problems that dogged Tech during the Basketball Travelers World Vision Classic last weekend subsided against the Roadrunners (3-4).

The Lady Raiders only turned the ball over 10 times following four consecutive games with 19 or more miscues. Tech also got 44 points off the bench, a marked improvement from the 15 it had Sunday against Sam Houston State.

Curry said she wasn’t even disappointed with Tech’s slow start. The Lady Raiders executed properly, she said, and took quality shots that simply didn’t fall.

Tech shot 48 percent (13-of-27) in the first half after the 0-for-11 start.

“If you would have told me after that start that we would have 40 at half I would have probably disagreed with you,” Curry said. “A lot of poise by us and I was pleased with the way we stuck to our guns as far as what shots we wanted to get.”

Tech also dominated the glass, hauling in 24 offensive rebounds against the biggest team it has seen on the homestand. The Lady Raiders scored 22 second-chance points compared to UTSA’s seven.

Kierra Mallard notched her second consecutive double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Teena Wickett added eight rebounds.

UTSA didn’t have a single player in double figures.

“I don’t mean this in an arrogant way, but these kids have a lot of confidence in themselves,” Curry said. “We didn’t finish the weekend (strong); I was displeased, they were displeased, but I really like the way they responded tonight. Everybody in that locker room knows who we can be and how good we can be, and we’re excited about it.”