Lady Raiders Lose 3rd Straight

Jay Langley - Special to KAMC.com (Lubbock, TX) After the Texas Tech Lady Raiders (14-11, 5-6 Big 12) lost 66-59 to Kansas State Sunday at the United Spirit Arena, Lady Raider coach Kristy Curry said the difference in the game was backcourt play. "It looked like today we were really searching on the perimeter for a little bit of fire, a little bit of umph a little bit of energy," Curry said. "Were really struggling on the perimeter with decision making and understanding what we need." In the loss Techs starting backcourt of Brooke Baughman and Jordan Murphree combined to shoot 3 of 15 from the floor with Murphree adding a team high five turnovers. Kansas State (16-8, 4-7 Big 12) was led by point guard Shalee Lehning with 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. "Shes hard nosed and obviously she was the best point guard on the floor today and it showed," Curry said of Lehning. The Lady Raiders kept the game close for much of the first half even holding a four-point lead with 12:51 to play. But from that point on the Lady Raiders did not score until 3:54 remained in the half. Tech shot just 24 percent from the floor in the first half and 32 percent for the game. "It was one of those games where our shots werent falling and the only thing to do is keep putting them up," Techs Alesha Robertson said. Robertson led Tech with 15 points, but the forward shot just 3 of 13 from field goal range. "There were times when we could have, I especially could have, slowed down and set up and everything," Robertson said. Curry said she was disappointed that her team settled for jump shots and was outscored inside. For the game Kansas State outscored Tech 44-18 in points in the paint. "We gave up way too many lay-ups," Curry said. "When we did help off it seemed like they were able to dish to the post. It wasnt so much our poor interior defense but perimeter wise we just couldnt keep them out of the paint." Kansas State coach Deb Patterson said anytime a team can come into the USA and win it is a solid win. "I think games are more significant the more you respect the level of opponent that youre competing against," Patterson said. "Texas Tech has some of the best fans in the country so it means a lot to our basketball team to be able to come in here and fight and find a way to win." The Lady Raiders next play 7 p.m. Wednesday at Nebraska. "Were due," Curry said. "The bottom line is for us as a staff to keep staying positive and keep teaching and coaching and preaching and trying to find a way to put them in a position to be successful. But they have to understand that their actions are going to speak louder than our words."