In an electrifying matchup at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, a spirited Texas Tech side overcame all odds by defeating the sixth-seeded Utah 75-64. The triumph on Thursday evening sees the 14th-seeded Lady Raiders (17-16) progress to the Big 12 Conference Tournament quarterfinals, where they will face No. 3 seed Oklahoma State on Friday.
The standout performance of the game belonged to Bailey Maupin, who delivered an impressive 22 points. Her scoring prowess was evident as she sank 4 of her 11 shots, including three 3-pointers, and remained flawless from the free-throw line, scoring all 11 attempts. Maupin was not just a scoring threat; she also contributed significantly with seven rebounds and six assists, although she recorded seven out of the team’s 17 turnovers. Supporting her efforts, Jasmine Shavers and Denae Fritz both added 12 points to the scoreboard, with Fritz collecting six rebounds.
The contest was intensely fought, with Gianna Kneepkens shining for Utah (22-8) by scoring 23 points, including four successful 3-pointers, and leading her team with six assists. Meanwhile, Maye Toure chipped in an additional 10 points. Despite a hard start, Shavers managed to nail a pivotal 3-pointer, shifting the momentum and securing Texas Tech a 23-21 advantage late in the second quarter. From that moment, the Lady Raiders held their lead firmly.
The shooting efficiency of the Lady Raiders played a crucial role in their triumph, as they converted 48.9% of their shots from the field and impressively hit 50% of their 20 attempts from beyond the arc. Their proficiency was further exemplified by hitting 19 out of 22 free throws, marking an 86.4% success rate. In contrast, Utah struggled, only managing a 39.3% conversion rate and a mere 8 out of 28 on 3-point attempts, coupled with 12 successful out of 17 free throws.
Initially, Utah seemed to take control as Jenna Johnson landed two 3-pointers to secure a narrow 13-10 lead by the end of the first quarter. However, following the rejuvenated performance. Shavers and Maupin powered their team in the second quarter, each contributing six points and connecting on 3 of 4 shots from beyond the three-point line. This surge helped them overturn the score and gain an 11-point lead, ending the half with a commanding 31-23.
