The Texas Tech women’s basketball team lost a lop-sided affair to No. 13 Iowa State 86-65.
After going toe-to-toe for a quarter and a half, the offensive firepower of the Cyclones became too much for the Lady Raiders. The offensive explosion opened up a huge lead for the Cyclones and Tech was unable to mount a comeback attempt.
With the loss, Tech fell to 9-11 and 2-7 in the Big 12. Iowa State improved to 18-3 and 7-2 in Big 12 play.
First Quarter
The teams traded blows to open up the game. Tech Freshman guard Rhyle McKinney made a three, but Iowa State guard Lexi Donarski answered with a three-point play.
Iowa State forward Ashley Joens made a three to put the Cyclones up 8-5, but Tech forward Taylah Thomas answered with two free throws to make it a one point game.
Midway through the opening quarter, Tech took an 11-10 lead after another two free throws from Thomas. The Cyclones took the lead back a possession later with a made jumper from Cyclone guard Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw.
With Tech down 20-15 late in the quarter, McKinney sank another three to cut the Iowa State lead to two.
The teams continued to go back-and-forth as the quarter wound down. Cyclone center Beatriz Jordao scored inside, but Tech center Ella Tofaeono scored a transition bucket at the buzzer to keep it a two-point deficit.
Second Quarter
To open the second quarter, Taylah Thomas tied the game after finishing inside the paint. When the Cyclones threatened to retake the lead, Tech Junior guard Bre’Amber Scott made a nice block on a shot attempt from Cyclone guard Emily Ryan.
With under five to play in the half, Iowa State went on an 11-zero run to go up 37-26. The run began with a three from forward Nyamer Diew and ended with a bucket from Ryan.
Bre’Amber Scott made a three to momentarily close the gap, but Lexi Donarski scored as the halftime buzzer sounded to put the Cyclones up 44-34 at the break.
Thomas led the Lady Raiders with 14 first half points while shooting five for nine from the floor. Ryan led the Cyclones 12 first half points.
Third Quarter
Down 46-35 early in the third, Thomas converted a three-point play to cut the lead to eight. Tech forward Chauntae Embry followed with a three ball that cut the deficit to five.
The Cyclones quickly regained a double-digit advantage with two quick baskets. A layup from Lexi Donarski and a three from Emily Ryan.
Later in the third, Iowa State broke the game open. Donarski hit an open corner three to put the Cyclones up 68-46.
The Lady Raiders would end the third quarter down 73-49.
Fourth Quarter
The Lady Raiders began chipping away at the large deficit with a three-point play from Rhyle McKinney. Two Vivian Gray free throws got Tech within 20 but with only five minutes remaining, a comeback was simply out of reach.
The final minutes were mere formality as the Cyclones ran out the clock and secured an 86-65 over the Lady Raiders.
Taylah Thomas led the Lady Raiders with 22 points. Vivian Gray was second with 17 points. Emily Ryan led the Cyclones in scoring with 20 points while shooting a perfect four of four from three.
Postgame Comments
Lady Raider head coach Krista Gerlich said the team started off well, but stretches in the second and third quarter is where the problems began to arise.
“For the first 15 minutes I thought we did a pretty good job.” Gerlich said. “That stretch to end the half hurt us, and then obviously I thought starting the third quarter, we didn’t come out and really make a real push at them.”
Gerlich said the biggest lesson from the coaching staff to the players is to get back up in the face of adversity.
“Everytime we turn around it seems like adversity is striking.” Gerlich said. “My message to them is to keep getting better, you got to keep getting back up.”
Up Next
The Lady Raiders will have a week off before heading to Manhattan to take on Kansas State.
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