WBB: Lady Raiders play Oklahoma Tonight --- Senior Night Feb 29, 2012

The Lady Raiders play their final home game tonight against the Oklahoma Sooners in Lubbock at 7pm CST at the USA. This will be the 46th meeting between these two teams. In the all-time series, OU holds the lead 23-22 and has won three of the last four matchups. The Sooners won the last game in Norman, 71-68, on Jan 11, 2012.

Tech enters the game after losing to Texas A&M on Saturday, Feb 25, 2012 in College Station. The Lady Raiders did not play up to par and there shooting was ice cold all night. The final score was Tech 51 A&M 79. The Oklahoma Sooners are coming off a loss of their own to Texas in Austin, TX. The Longhorns upset the Sooners 87-62.

NOTE: Kierra Mallard, a 6-foot-3 senior forward, was suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules and will not be playing in tonight's game.

What's at Stake: Tech will be looking to end a 4-game slump. They have played tight games but have come up short and then on Saturday against A&M they collapsed and lost by 28 points. The Sooners are trying to maintain their 3^rd spot in the Big 12 going into the Big 12 tourney. It will be Senior Night for the Lady Raiders so I hope the crowd is good and that Tech plays well and beats the Sooners.

Comments: I am just hoping for a win tonight. It's as simple as that.

More after the Jump ...

Current record: Tech's current season record is 17-11, 5-11 Big 12. OU's current season record is 18-10, 10-6 Big12.

Rankings: Neither team is tanked, but OU did get 2 votes in the AP rankings (placing them 36^th)

Players to watch:

Tech: Junior Guard Casey Morris averages 9.2 points per game and 3.7 rebounds/game and has 52 steals and has a 87 FT%; Junior Christine Hyde is averaging 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds/game and has 27 steals; Junior Guard Monique Smalls is averaging 8.2 points and 3.5 rebounds and has 70 steals; Sophomore Kelsi Baker averages 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds/game and has 9 blocks and 17 steals; Sophomore Forward Shauntal Nobles is averaging 6.5 pts and 5.1 rebounds/game and has 20 blocks and 20 steals; Junior Guard Chynna Brown is averaging 8.8 pts and 4.1 rebounds/game and has 21 steals; Senior Forward Jordan Barncastle averages 5.2 pts/game and completes 79.3% FTs and has 12 steals and 6 blocks.

Oklahoma: Sophomore Guard Aaryn Ellenberg is averaging 18.3 pts/game and has 28 steals; Sophomore Guard Morgan Hook averages 11.7 pts and 3.7 rebounds per game; Senior Guard Whitney Hand averages 11.5 pts and 6.7 rebounds/game; Junior Forward Joanna MacFarland is averaging 8.1 pts and 7.8 rebounds/game; Sophomore Center Nicole Griffin averages 5.2 pts and 4.5 rebounds/game and has 22 blocks; All of the starters for OU have a 78% or greater FT%.

Coaches: Kristy Curry is coaching her 6th season at Tech. (105-84). Sherri Coale is entering her 16th season with the Oklahoma Sooners (354-165).

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 Lady Sooners finished the 2010-11 season 23-12, 10-6 and finished in 3rd place in the Big12. Oklahoma returned 9 Letterwinners (3 Starters) and have 4 newcomers. OU made it to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2010-11 NCAA Tournament where they lost to Norte Dame 53-78.

Radio: Texas Tech Sports Network (97.3 FM Lubbock) and Oklahoma: KOKC 1520 AM, KREF 1400 AM

Gametracker: www.texastech.com/gametracker

Streaming video/audio: www.texastech.com/allaccess/ (~ $10/month charge)

Game Thread will go up at 6:45pm CST on Wednesday , Feb 29, 2012