By Chois Woodman
All five of Texas Tech’s seniors had a strong performance, but the Lady Raiders came up short against Oklahoma on Monday night at the United Spirit Arena.
Texas Tech head coach Kristy Curry had all five of her seniors in the starting lineup for their final home game.
Curry said losing on senior night was tough, but she knows her team will be able to bounce back.
“As a competitor it’s not about senior night as much as it is about just winning the next game,” she said. “It’s a combination of those two, but I don’t want tonight to define who they are and what they’re about. They’ve been absolutely incredible.”
Seniors Christine Hyde and Chynna Brown led the way for the Lady Raiders. Hyde scored 22 points, while Brown scored 21 and led the team in rebounds with eight.
Curry said the team has their eyes set on the Big 12 Championship and then the NCAA Tournament.
“What your hope is now for this senior class is that we can get into the post-season and finish the right way,” she said. “We have a lot to look forward to.”
Seniors Casey Morris, Monique Smalls and Mary Bokenkamp also contributed in a big way on Monday.
Morris scored 12 points, and Bokenkamp knocked down back-to-back three-pointers at the end of the first half to keep the game close. Monique Smalls had 10 assists in the game.
Oklahoma’s Aaryn Ellenberg was solid for the Sooners down the stretch. Whenever the Lady Raiders would hit a shot to tie the game or bring it within a point, Ellenberg would hit a shot to put Oklahoma back on top.
Ellenberg finished with a game-high 25 points in the contest.
Tech was up by one point with 55 seconds left in the game, but was unable to hang on to the lead.
Curry said both teams should be proud of their efforts in the game.
“It was just a great Big 12 game,” she said. “It’s a shame somebody had to lose. They were just fortunate to make a couple more plays, and we weren’t able to get a stop. Credit to Oklahoma.”
Despite the loss, Curry said her team shot the ball well, and they can take that momentum into the Big 12 Championship.
Tech went 10-23 from three-point range, and shot 42 percent from the field.
The loss dropped the Lady Raiders to a four seed in the Big 12 Championship, which starts Friday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Lady Raiders will play against either Oklahoma State or West Virginia on Saturday.
About Morgan Crump
