Tech guard Jasmine Shavers gives “horns down” after the game against Texas. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena. (Andrew Watters) 
From left: Players Tatum Veitenheimer, Kilah Freelon, Bryn Gerlich, Rhyle McKinney, Saga Ukkonen and Ella Tofaeono stand with guns up as Matador Song plays. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena. (Andrew Watters) 
Tech’s Katie Ferrell has the ball as they play Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena. (Andrew Watters) 
Tech’s Bre’Amber Scott brings up the ball with Texas’s Amina Muhammad ready to guard her. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena. (Andrew Watters) 
Raider Red kicks back as Texas Tech plays Texas (WBB), Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena. (Andrew Watters) 
Tech’s Ella Tofaeono is about to go up to lay it in on Texas. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena. (Andrew Watters) 
Tech head coach Krista Gerlich argues with a referee at the end of the first half against Texas. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena. (Andrew Watters) 
Texas’s Rori Harmon goes up for a layup with Tech’s Katie Ferrell on defense. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena. (Andrew Watters) 
Tech’s Jasmine Shavers goes up with Texas’s Shaylee Gonzales guarding her. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena. (Andrew Watters) 
Texas’s Rori Harmon shoots over Tech’s Tatum Veitenheimer. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena. (Andrew Watters) 
Tech’s Kilah Freelon (2) looks on as she makes a shot against Texas. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena. (Andrew Watters)
The Texas Tech women’s basketball team got its first home Big 12 victory of the season after defeating No. 25 Texas 68-64. The Lady Raiders improved to 15-4 (3-3 Big 12), and Texas dropped to 13-6 (4-2 Big 12).
The Lady Raiders jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. Guard Tatum Veitenheimer completed a three-point play, and reigning Big 12 Player of the Week Bre’Amber Scott added an easy layup.
The Longhorns fought back and took a 15-9 lead thanks in large part to five first quarter points from guard Sonya Morris.
Tech went on a run of their own in the second quarter. Scott scored eight straight points to give Tech a 23-17 lead. Scott has been on a tear as of late, scoring at least 20 points in her last five games including a 37-point double-double against Kansas State.
Scott said she doesn’t think about scoring, but that she just goes out and plays hard.
“I just go out there and just play hard and give it all I got every time,” Scott said. “If we’re going to lose, I’m going to have to be okay with it as long as I know I played hard and gave it my all.”
Scott finished with 28 points, was four-for-seven from three, grabbed seven rebounds and added an assist.
In the final seconds of the half, Lady Raider center Jazmaine Lewis was fouled on a full court shot attempt. Officials, without checking the replay, decided the foul came after the clock hit zero. Tech was not awarded the free throws, and went into the locker room with a 30-27 lead.
The Lady Raiders caught fire right out of the halftime locker room. Scott, guard Bryn Gerlich and Big 12 Freshman of the Week Jasmine Shavers helped Tech to seven straight points to take a 10-point lead.
Texas answered with two straight threes to momentarily cut Tech’s lead to three, but Scott made her fourth three of the night to give the Lady Raiders a 42-35 third quarter lead.
The Longhorns managed to make the third quarter a wash. Forward DeYona Gaston made a layup at the buzzer to make it a 48-45 game at the end of the third.
The back-and-forth action continued into the fourth quarter. Bryn Gerlich made a three to give Tech a six-point lead, but Sonya Morris answered back with her own three for Texas.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Jas Shavers knocked down a three to give Tech a 58-50 lead.
A layup from Freshman Guard Kiloh Freelon gave the Lady Raiders a six-point lead late, but 6-1 Texas run made it a one-point game late in the fourth.
With under two minutes to play, Freelon made a clutch jumper to put Tech up three. DeYona Gaston made it a one-point game again at 63-62, but the Lady Raiders hit several clutch free throws in the final minute to effectively seal the win.
Lady Raider head coach Krista Gerlich said her players have really embraced a team-first mindset.
“I just feel like our kids are just really embracing the team, trying to win a game and not worrying about themselves so much,” Gerlich said. “I’m just super proud of just how they’ve really rallied around the coaches, and the game plan, and each other, and they’re in there doing whatever we’re asking them to do right now.”
The Lady Raiders are now 3-1 in their last four Big 12 games. They’ll look to continue their stellar play as they go on the road to play West Virginia on Saturday.
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