The #13/17 Lady Red Raiders play the Oklahoma State Cowgirls in Lubbock on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2012 at 7pm CST at the USA. This will be the 48^th meeting between these two teams. Texas Tech leads the series 29-18. The Lady Red Raiders have won the last two times.

This game will open Big12 Conference play for both of these teams. Tech has 12 wins and enters conference play undefeated. Oklahoma State lost their last game on Dec. 30, 2011 and enters conference play with 8 wins and one loss.

Special Note: On Nov. 17, 2011, the HC for the OSU Cowgirls was killed in a plane crash. OSU cancelled two of their non-conference games. Coach Kurt Budke and AC Miranda Serna were killed on a recruiting visit. Texas Tech has posted an online guest book for condolences. "Guns Up" and "Ride with Pride". Texas Tech coaches, staff & players will be wearing special orange and black ribbons tonight.

What's at Stake: A win would keep the Lady Red Raiders undefeated. The OSU Cowgirls are looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season. Both teams are looking for their first win in conference play. Of concern, Texas Tech is 12-7 at home against OSU but the Cowgirls have won three of the last four meetings at United Spirit Arena.

More after the Jump ...

Current record: Tech's current season record is 12-0, 0-0 Big 12. Oklahoma State's current season record is 8-1, 0-0 Big12.

Rankings: The Red Raiders are 13th in this week's Associated Press poll and 17th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll. The Oklahoma State Cowgirls are not ranked but are currently 5^th in the Big12 standings

Players to watch:

Tech: Senior Forward Kierra Mallard is averaging 13.8 points and 9.3 rebounds/game and has 29 blocks. Junior Guard Casey Morris averages 10.2 points per game and 4.2 rebounds/game and has 33 steals; Junior Christine Hyde is averaging 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds/game; Junior Guard Monique Smalls is averaging 7.8 points and 3.6 rebounds and has 45 steals; Sophomore Kelsi Baker averages 8.4 points and 4.8 rebounds/game.

Oklahoma State: Sophomore Guard Tiffany Bias is averaging 11.8 points per game and has 25 steals; Freshman Guard Taylor Schippers averages 5.4 points and is a strong 3-pt and FT shooter; Freshman Forward Liz Donohoe is averaging 15.2 points and 4.8 rebounds/game and is almost perfect from the FT line; Sophomore Forward Kendra Suttles averages 11 points and 6 rebounds/game; Junior Forward Lindsey Keller averages 7.7 points and 7 rebounds per game

Previously Play: The Lady Red Raiders played in the Surf N' Slam Classic over the holidays where they edged the San Diego Toreros 58-57 and routed Cal State-Bakersfield 81-63 on Friday, Dec 30^th and Thursday, Dec. 29^th respectively. The OSU Cowgirls participated in the Peppermill Holiday Classic in Reno, Nevada where they lost to Long Island 64-63 Dec 30^th and beat Mississippi State 78-71 Dec 29^th.

Coaches: Kristy Curry is coaching her 6th season at Tech. (100-73). Jim Littell is entering his 1^st season with the OSU Cowgirls (7-1).

Last year: The Lady Red Raiders finished the 2010-11 season 22-11, 8-8 with a tie for 6th place in the Big12. Tech returns 11 players (3 Starters) from last year's team and welcomed 2 newcomers The Cowgirls finished the 2010-11 season 17-15, 4-12 and finished 11^th place in the Big12. The Cowgirls went to the 2^nd round of the WNIT. The Cowgirls returned 6 Letterwinners (4 Starters) and have 6 newcomers.

Radio: Texas Tech Sports Network 97.3 FM (Lubbock)

Gametracker: www.texastech.com

Game Thread will go up at 6:45pm CST on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012

Other Notes:

Coach Kristy Curry had her 100^th win at Texas Tech on Dec 30, 2011 against San Diego.

The Lady Red Raiders lead the Big 12 Conference in offensive rebounds with 20.58 per game and are 2nd in the Big12 in rebounding defense (32.9) and in rebounding offense (48.2).

The Big 12 has two of the nation's six undefeated squads (Texas Tech and Baylor ) and is the only league with more than one.

The Big 12 is the only conference in which every team has a .700 winning percentage or higher, and is one of just two leagues in which every team has a winning record.

Four of the Big12 teams are ranked: Baylor #1, ATM #9, Tech #13 and Texas #23 with Kansas receiving votes.

Big12 Student Athlete Spotlight: Casey Morris

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