Tech 72 - Oregan 65

[Press]

Another close game, a late 10 point lead was lost but they hang on to win at the line.

Not a good shooting night, (37.7%)they really keyed on Perkins and Ritchie, but that left Pierson open and she took advantage of it with 22 points.

Pierson 22pts, 10 rb
Perkins 10, 11rb
Ritchie 11 pt
Ayers 10, 5rb
Jackson 9, 5 rbs (great defensive effort(
Ellison, 6, 8rb

Next up @ New Mexico on Friday.

[Press]

Ok, I can spell: Oregon

[TTU-Rules]

What has happened to Amber Tarr? She has always been such a solid player - great shot - cool under pressure. Is she injured? Does she have an attitude problem? She barely got to play 5 minutes last night and I thought she would be starting this year! She's a much better passer and defensive player than Ritchie. Does anyone have any scoop?

[Press]

This is a post from Raiderpower.com that I thought was pretty accurate about the state of this years team and the rotation of players.

Bottom-line, they're not where they need to be, but it's only 3 games into the season and they've played 3 solid teams and only one real meltdown out of the three. IMO, I think chemistry and finding a leader is still hurting this team, however, if Pierson will just keep stepping up as she did last night, this team should be hers to run.

Post from RaiderPower.com:

We miss Kat more than anyone wants to admit regardless of her unpredictable offense.
If you'll remember the starting five from last year really didn't get the job done. Three of those players were benched usually within the first 6-min. of the game, but they still started and lots of people complained.

This year, now with Brown out, two of those starters are now subs. It looks like we're going the right direction and starting the right players, but the production is still the same from the other players.

This year’s schedule has eliminated most of the soft games that we could easily win by 25 and rotate 14 players. As a result, to win these games, the rotation has to tighten down and unfortunately for those players like Greenwalt, have seen little PT. For the seniors that have an opportunity to play, they best hit the ground running and produce in one way or another in order to be part of the rotation.

I'll admit that my expectations for this year were way too high and am a little baffled as to why we still have some of the scoring problems and defensive breakdowns that we do just losing one player.

Reality is that they've only played 3 games, all away. None of them have been pretty, but I'd rather see them struggle and play tough competition than play 5 soft teams at home and get their heads and their ranking all out of whack.

Time will tell, but this team will be good, will lose several games along the way, but will be a lot tougher in March as a result.

Go Lady Raiders!

[swok34]

It seems many have forgotten that it's November. And if I'm not mistaken, Texas Tech like OU.......hasn't even played a game on their home court yet. I really think home court matters A LOT more than folks realize with a fan base especially in the beginning of the season.

[elfdenmom]

Amber Tarr definitely does NOT have an attitude problem. She is a team player through and through. She is a better defender and passer than Ritchie, but unquestionably Ritchie is a better scorer, particularly when she is on. I think Marsha would like to go with whoever has the "hot" hand or who played the best the previous game. Unfortunately it takes Amber a while to "get in the flow" and feel comfortable. If she misses her first shot she is very cautious about her next one, but she does all the little things exceptionally well. Competition has force Ritchie to get much better at defending, shot selection and rebounding than she was at begining of the year.

Ritchie was cool at the outset of the Oregon game so Marsha gave Amber a chance. She couldn't get it going right off (I think the O defense on the perimeter shooters was exceptional) and Amber does not shoot unless she is open.

I don't think that Amber is injured. She was in serious pain toward the end of last season, not from her knee, but from tumors or cysts between her toes. That was corrected with surgery so I think she is ok physically. Maybe having a confidence problem, though.

[TTU-Rules]

Thanks for the info. on Amber -- I really didn't think she had an attitude problem -- I was just baffled by her lack of playing time. Marsha has always had the tendency to go with the young, hot players instead of relying on the more experienced ones. I don't know why she can't play both...maybe intead of Ellison or Ayers -- put pierson back inside. Oh well, she's the coach I guess she knows what she's doing. This is what happens to teams when they have too much talent. It's hard to find the right chemistry. I just think Amber is a solid player and really knows her role on the team -- maybe she'll have a breakout game if she gets the chance.