LUBBOCK — Texas Tech used a 15-2 run midway through the first half to erase an early deficit and the Lady Raiders cruised to an 83-43 win against UTSA on Wednesday night at United Spirit Arena.
Kierra Mallard and Kelsi Baker led Tech (8-0) with 12 points apiece, while Mallard added a game-high 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, junior Ashley Gardner led the Roadrunners (3-4) with nine points.
Both teams struggled early against each other’s zone defense.
UTSA jumped out to an 8-4 lead on the strength of four free throws and two inside baskets. The Lady Raiders came out of the gate ice cold, missing their first 11 shots before Christine Hyde finally connected from the floor with 14 minutes to go in the half.
However, Texas Tech began to heat up, hitting four of its next five shots to spark the decisive run, which was capped by a Mallard rebound and put back for a 19-10 lead. A 3-pointer by senior Amber Gregg with 10 seconds left in the half stopped a 16-0 stretch and the Lady Raiders took a commanding 40-15 lead into halftime.
Tech used 13 offensive rebounds to score 11 second-chance points in the stanza and outrebound the Roadrunners, 33-21. UTSA did hold the Lady Raiders to just 34 percent shooting for the half, but it only could manage a 16 percent clip of its own.
The Roadrunners opened the second half with two transition baskets, forcing Texas Tech head coach Kristy Curry to call timeout, but the Lady Raiders responded with a 14-2 run to put the game out of reach.
UTSA heated up late, hitting three consecutive 3-pointers in the final minutes to draw closer, but it shot 24 percent from the field, including a 33 percent clip (6-of-18) from downtown.
Senior Alysse Davis recorded three of the team’s five blocks to add to her Southland Conference-leading total. She now has 22 in seven outings this season (3.1 bpg).
The contest was the first of the year away from the Convocation Center for the Roadrunners, as they opened the campaign with a six-game home stand.
UTSA continues its three-game road trip next Tuesday, Dec. 7, at Houston (4-0).
