Despite a career-high 22 points from Junior forward Bryn Gerlich, the Lady Raiders came up short against No. 11 Baylor.
Texas Tech trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half. A red-hot second half saw the Lady Raiders tie the game late in the fourth, but the comeback attempt fell short and Baylor came away with the victory.
With the loss, the Lady Raiders fell to 9-10 and 2-6 in the Big 12. Baylor improved to 14-4 and 4-2 in Big 12 play.
First Quarter
The Bears opened up the game with a seven-zero run highlighted by a three from Baylor guard Jordan Lewis.
Bryn Gerlich gave the Lady Raiders a spark by hitting a three and scoring another quick bucket, but the rest of the quarter would belong to the Bears.
Midway through the first, Bears Senior forward NaLyssa Smith drove down the lane and scored to put Baylor up 15-7. A three from Tech forward Chantae Embry would temporarily make it a five point game, but Baylor guard Ja’Mee Asberry answered back with a three of her own that put the Bears up by eight.
After Tech threatened to close the gap, Baylor went on a 9-2 run to close the first quarter up 29-14.
Second Quarter
The Lady Raiders went on a seven-two run to open the second quarter. The run was highlighted by a three from Senior guard Vivian Gray that cut the Baylor lead to 31-21.
Later in the quarter, Tech drew to within eight after a couple Gerlich free throws, Baylor regained a double-digit advantage with back-to-back baskets from NaLyssa Smith.
In the final minute of the first half, Jordan Lewis put Baylor up 51-35 after converting a three-point play. Tech Freshman guard Rhyle McKinney answered back with a three and the Lady Raiders went to halftime down 51-38.
Third Quarter
The Lady Raiders began the third quarter scorching hot. Vivian Gray and Tech Senior guard Lexy Hightower drilled back-to-back threes to cut the deficit to seven.
Bryn Gerlich continued her hot streak when she completed a three-point play to cut the deficit to 51-47. On Tech’s next possession, Hightower hit another three to make it a one point game.
Jordan Lewis ended Baylor’s second half scoring drought when she converted a three-point play that put Baylor ahead 54-50.
After trading a few buckets, Tech Senior forward Taylah Thomas drained a corner three that once again made it a one point game.
The teams continued to go back-and-forth as the third quarter wound down. Sarah Andrews scored on back-to-back Baylor possessions, but Tech answered with buckets from center Hadi Faye and Vivian Gray to keep it a two-point game.
Gerlich hit a jump shot to keep the deficit at two, but Baylor Sophomore guard Sarah Andrews hit a three to give Baylor a 71-66 advantage heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
After NaLyssa Smith extended the Baylor lead to seven, Lexy Hightower splashed another three to get Tech within four.
Later in the quarter, Baylor held a 76-69 lead when Gerlich hit a long-distance three to draw back within four. Later, a layup from Hadi Faye would make it a two point game.
With two and a half minutes to play, Senior forward Taylah Thomas completed a three-point play to tie the game 79.
Right out of a timeout, Andrews answered back for Baylor by nailing an open three that gave the Bears an 82-79 edge.
Right out of a timeout, Andrews answered back for Baylor by nailing an open three that gave the Bears an 82-79 edge.
In the final minute and a half, the Lady Raiders were unable to convert any offensive opportunities. Baylor calmly sank some free throws and ran out the clock to end the game in an 88-80 Bears victory.
Postgame Comments
Lady Raider head coach Krista Gerlich said the team started slow but showed their potential in the final three quarters.
“I think in that first quarter we were on the fence a little bit, probably because of the last week that we had.” Gerlich said. “I do think that the last three quarters we showed where we’re going with this team, and there’s a lot of basketball left to be played.”
Vivian Gray said hanging with a team like Baylor can be a nice confidence boost for the team, and that she expects a different outcome the next time they meet.
“It’s definitely helpful to know that we can play with these good teams.” Gray said. “I think it’ll be a different story when we play them the next time.”
Stats
- Bryn Gerlich scored a career-high 22 points while shooting 7-11.
- Vivian Gray scored 21 points on 50% shooting.
- NaLyssa Smith scored a game-high 23 points for Baylor.
- Sarah Andrews scored 19 points on 70% shooting.
Up Next
The Lady Raiders will be at home to take on No. 13 Iowa State on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at the United Supermarkets Arena.
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