A third-quarter comeback attempt by the Texas Tech women’s basketball team ran out of steam in the fourth quarter of Friday’s semifinal game against Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament in the T-Mobile Center at Kansas City, Missouri.
Trailing the 5th-seeded Bears 46-31 with 7:19 left in the third quarter, the 12th-seeded Lady Raiders closed the frame on a 19-6 spurt, cutting the deficit to two. In the fourth, turnovers became a glaring issue as Baylor quickly jumped back in front by double digits before coming away with the 71-60 win.
Texas Tech (17-16) had 23 turnovers for the game, including five in the first two minutes of the fourth. Those early giveaways helped Baylor create the necessary separation, which was enough for the team’s 30th consecutive win over the Lady Raiders.
After putting up 29 points in Thursday’s first-round win over Houston, Jasmine Shavers followed it up with a 20-point effort against the Bears, though she was just 1-of-5 from 3-point range and accounted for six of the team’s turnovers. Bailey Maupin provided 15 points.
Jada Wynn had eight points and seven rebounds and Jordyn Merritt six and six, each have three of the team’s seven assists.
Baylor had four players in double figures, led by Sarah Andrews’ 13 points. Aijha Blackwell (nine rebounds) added 11 points with Bella Fontleroy and Yaya Felder tallying 10 apiece.
The Bears advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals against 4-seed Iowa State. Texas Tech will await any potential postseason play. The women’s tournament selections will begin at 7 p.m. on March 17.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech bows out of Big 12 women’s basketball tournament
