WVU looks to extend win streak, avenge early season loss to Texas Tech

A four-point overtime loss to Texas Tech earlier this season proved to be a huge blow for the West Virginia women’s basketball team. Now, as the Mountaineers travel to Lubbock, Texas, the only thing on their mind is redemption.

WVU lost in shocking fashion to the Lady Raiders nearly three weeks ago following a collapse in the late stages of the game. Texas Tech was able to knock down key free throws and make enough plays to seal the deal in the overtime thriller.

"We were kind of tired last year of losing games and going back to the stat sheet and see if we could have made our free throws, we could have won," said Texas Tech guard Christine Hyde. "An emphasis this year was to make our free throws, because it’s a difference in the game."

Hyde made nine of 10 free throws in the first meeting against West Virginia this season. In overtime, the Lady Raiders made 75 percent of their free throws.

Now, as WVU looks to get some revenge on Texas Tech, it will hope to capitalize in those late stages of the game in order to seal a good resume boosting win Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Texas Tech comes into the game at 16-6 and 6-4 in Big 12 Conference play. The Lady Raiders are fresh off a 15-point loss to No. 23 Iowa State Saturday.

Leading TTU will be senior guards Casey Morris and Chynna Brown. Morris leads the team in steals with 45 and averages 12.0 points per game. Brown is the second leading scorer on the team with 11.6 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per contest.

WVU is fresh off a 19-point win against No. 20 Oklahoma. The
Mountaineers have now won two-straight games against ranked opponents.

"We’ve got to win a lot more. We’re only 5-and-5 in the league," said head coach Mike Carey following the win over Oklahoma. "But we had to win this one.

"We just have to continue to play hard. Take it one at a time. Next game’s Texas Tech on Wednesday and then Saturday at Kansas. So, there are two away games and a lot of travel.

"It is what it is – we’re not going to make excuses. We just got to get ready to play and play Texas Tech and try to get that win."

WVU looks to win its third-straight game against the Lady Raiders. Against Oklahoma, West Virginia used its energy as a spark to get turnovers and earn 13 steals on the afternoon. Four Mountaineers scored in double-figures, with junior guard Christal Caldwell leading the way with 24 points.

West Virginia proved it could beat the best of competition as of late. With another shot to get some revenge against a team that narrowly defeated it, the Mountaineers should be poised to roll out of Lubbock with their heads up high.

Texas Tech, on the other hand, will look to avoid its first three-game losing streak of the season.