NCAA Tournament Means Big Boost for Tech and Local Businesses

"It brings in fans, it gives us national recognition," Reno said. "It is definitely a boost for us."

Marcie Reno is the director of sales for the Overton Hotel.

It is her job to book rooms and today her job is getting a little easier thanks to Texas Tech.

"This is just a great chance for Lubbock to just kind of be a national showcase," Reno said. "To bring in visitors and fans from all over the country to see our town."

Reno said the hotel is completely booked for the weekend.

Now she said she hopes the Overton can help other local businesses.

"What's a great restaurant to go to? Where's the place to do some great shopping? What are things that they really have to see in town?" Reno said. "So not only are these kinds of events a boost to the hotels, it's a boost to all kinds of businesses here in Lubbock."

"We have been very pleased with the response so far from our city and hope that only continues to grow," Beal said.

Director of Athletic Communications Blayne Beal said tickets sales are going great and they only got better after fans found out the Lady Raiders will get a home court advantage.

"Last nights news has certainly helped things," Beal said. "And ticket sales have gone really well so we saw a big spike last night."

Big is right, more than 700 tickets were sold in the last 24 hours.

Beal said the University plans to take advantage of this weekend's national audience.

"So we have three games that will be nationally televised and to showcase the history and the pride of women's college basketball here at Texas Tech," Beal said. "We are celebrating our 20th anniversary of our 1993 national championship team, so there are a lot of things that we have to celebrate."