WBB: Lady Raiders fall to OSU in triple overtime Senior Day thriller

The Texas Tech Lady Raiders came up just short in a triple overtime thriller against Oklahoma State. In an emotional Senior Day game, the Lady Raiders trailed at the end of the fourth quarter and first overtime, but found a way to tie the game at the end of both periods to force extra time. Oklahoma State went on a run in the third overtime, and iced what was a hard-fought and physical game. 

Tech dropped to 4-10 in Big 12 play while Oklahoma State improved to 9-5 in the Big 12 and extended its winning streak to five straight games. 

Here’s how it all went down, quarter-by-quarter and overtime-by-overtime. 

First quarter

After Oklahoma State got out to a quick 8-2 lead, the Lady Raiders got their feet under them and started hitting some shots. 

A three-point play from Katie Ferrell, a jumper from Bryn Gerlich and a three from guard Rhyle McKinney helped shrink Tech’s deficit to just five at the end of the quarter. 

Second quarter

The Lady Raiders went on a 10-2 run to start the second quarter. Tatum Veitenheimer sank a pullup jumper, Katie Ferrell hit some shots and Rhyle McKinney finished some tough layups inside. The offensive explosion helped Tech to a 22-19 lead midway through the quarter. 

Both teams went back-and-forth for the rest of the period. The Cowgirls got a few baskets from guard Naomie Alnatas while the Lady Raiders got contributions from Bre’Amber Scott and Ferrell. Ferrell scored a season-high 11 points in just two quarters of play.

Tech went into the locker room down 31-28. 

Third quarter

The Cowgirls got out to a fast start in the second half. Baskets from Cowgirl players Lexy Keys, Taylen Collins and Alnatas helped Oklahoma State to an early 6-2 third quarter run. 

Later in the quarter, five straight points from Mckinney, and baskets from Scott and Farrell helped Tech to a 39-37 lead. The scoring outburst put Tech on a 9-0 third quarter run.

OSU returned the favor in the third quarter’s final stretch. A 10-4 Cowgirl run put Tech in a 47-43 hole going into the fourth.

Fourth quarter

Down 50-45 a few minutes into the fourth, Bryn Gerlich hit a foul line jumper to bring Tech within three. After a four minute stretch where both teams struggled to get the lid off the basket, Scott drained a deep three to bring Tech within one.

In the final two minutes, Scott attacked the basket and finished a clutch layup to give the Lady Raiders a 55-54 lead. After Gerlich was called for an intentional foul, the Cowgirls went to the line and sank one of two free throws to tie the game at 55.

Katie Ferrell barely missed the final shot of regulation and the two teams went to overtime. 

First overtime

Oklahoma State capitalized on its first two possessions of the overtime. Alnatas finished a layup and Lexy Keys hit a three to put the Cowgirls up 60-55.

Keys hit another three out of a timeout to extend the Cowgirl lead to eight, but Scott responded with a quick two to bring Tech back within six. 

With just over two minutes to play, Gerlich hit an open three to cut the deficit to five. On Tech’s next time down the floor, Scott completed a three-point play to bring Tech within two. Scott finished the next Tech possession by drawing a foul and sinking two free throws to tie the game at 67. 

With under thirty seconds to go in the period, Oklahoma State doubled Scott and forced a turnover. After both teams missed half court shots, the game went into a second overtime.

Second overtime

A three-point play from Oklahoma State’s Claire Chastain gave the Cowgirls early momentum in the second overtime period, but Scott once again responded for Tech. Scott scored on back-to-back possessions to give Tech a 71-70 lead.

Later in the period, Scott continued her hot streak by getting to the cup and completing a three-point play to give the Lady Raiders a 76-72 lead. 

Oklahoma State answered back with quick baskets from Chastain and Alnatas. The four-point run tied the game and forced a third overtime.

Third overtime

The Cowgirls went on a 9-0 run to begin the third overtime period. A three and layup from Anna Gret Asi, and a basket from Lexy Keys helped the Cowgirls to an 85-76 lead. 

This time, the deficit was too much for the Lady Raiders to overcome and Oklahoma State came away with a 92-80 win. 

Postgame Comments

Lady Raider head coach Krista Gerlich said the loss was a heartbreaker, but her team left it all out there. 

“That was a heartbreaker, we asked our kids to empty the tank and you can’t ask them to play any harder,” Gerlich said. “They were down by nine in the first overtime and came back and tied it up and man, just fought like hell.” 

Gerlich said this season’s group of seniors have been vital to the Lady Raider program.

“They’re intrumental. I mean, they’re the livelihood of our program to be quite honest,” Gerlich said. “They knew they were going to come in and have to help us rebuild and they chose to do that, and I think they chose Texas Tech for the experience and for the family and for the relationships that we have with them.” 

Lady Raider stat leaders

• Katie Ferrell recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds
• Bre’Amber Scott recorderd her second 30 point game this season. She finished with 30 points and 11 rebounds.
• Sophomore Rhyle McKinney scored 14 points and was six-for-seven from the field.
• Bryn Gerlich scored 13 points and logged over 50 minutes of playing time.

Up Next

The Lady Raiders will have a quick turnaround as they get ready to host West Virginia on Wednesday in what will be their second to last home game of the season.