Rice University
Texas Tech
Owls Shock 13th-Ranked Texas Tech
11/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 21, 2005
Houston -
Junior forward Lauren Neaves scored a game-high 27 points and hauled down a game-high 18 rebounds to lead Rice to a stunning 73-70 upset of number-13 Texas Tech Monday at Autry Court. Texas Tech is the highest-ranked team Rice has beat since they downed sixth-ranked Louisiana Tech on Feb. 21, 2002.
The Owls looked like a completely different team than the one that dropped the season-opening game at Mississippi last Friday. They held Tech to 39.2 percent shooting from the field and shut down national player of the year candidate Erin Grant, holding the guard to just seven points and forcing her into six turnovers.
"We knew it would be a real challenge to beat Tech," said first-year head coach Greg Williams. "All the things we failed to do against Mississippi, we did tonight. We made key shots, played aggressive defense, kept our focus very sharp and never lost our composure."
Tech led 31-23 at the half, as Rice hit only 32.3 percent from the field. Valeriya Berezhynska hit a trio of baskets early in the second half to help Rice stay close, and the Owls tied the score at 39 with 12:43 to go. Rice took the lead for the first time in the second half on a free throw by Neaves with 7:43 remaining, and from that point the 6-2 Conference USA preseason player of the year dumped in 11 points and shut down Tech's inside game before fouling out with 12 seconds to go. Neaves ended the contest with a game-high five blocked shots and had no turnovers.
"Lauren was a real warrior out there tonight," Williams said. "She fought for every ball and made some tough shots, and that was a huge plus for us."
Sophomore guard Kadie Riverin had 13 points and four assists for the Owls, while Berezhynska finished with 11 points. LaToya Davis was the high scorer for Tech, pouring in 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
With the win, Rice moves to 1-1, while Texas Tech drops to 1-2 on the year. The Owls travel west for the Seattle Times Classic Saturday and Sunday, where they will open tournament play against Penn.
