by LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior Amber Battle scored 13 points and added 11 rebounds in her first game back in the lineup this season to go with 17 points by Minta Spears to lead Tech to a 61-44 win over Abilene Christian on Wednesday at United Supermarkets Arena.
Tech (5-2) avenged its 2013 loss to ACU with its most dominant performance of the season. Tech went up by as many as 25 points while outrebounding the Wildcats 48-26 on the boards.
“For the first time this year I’m really happy with the carry over we had,” Tech head coach Candi Whitaker said. “Defensively, I thought we started to attack and offensively we did a job getting to the paint, to the rim and finishing. I’m really proud.”
Four Lady Raiders finished the game with seven rebounds or more including two in double digits with Olabode (10) and Battle (11). Jamie Roe (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) added only 4 points but had a big game on the defensive side by recording a game-high (7) steals in the contest.
ACU (5-2) managed to tie the game at 18-18 just past the midway point of the first half following shooting struggles by both teams. But that was the last time the two were close the rest of the contest. Tech ended the first half with an 18-3 run to lead 36-21 at the break.
Battle appeared to pick up exactly where she left off last season after leading the Lady Raiders in points (16.4) and rebounds (7.2). It was her seventh career double-double and 27th game in double figures in just 32 starts.
“It was just good to get out there with my team,” Battle said. “My shots weren’t falling but I was trying to focus on rebounding and defense, things I can control. That really helped me get back in it.”
Tech won the battle down low for the fifth time this season with a 26-10 advantage in the paint but also found success on the outside from Spears and junior Rayven Brooks. Spears, the Big 12 Conference leader in 3-pointers, hit a career-high five treys on eight attempts while Brooks was a perfect 2-for-2 and finished with 10 points.
“If Amber is in the game you have to worry about her driving because she can get to the rim whenever she wants and against anyone,” Spears said. “hey really had to guard and help off of on her, Kelsi and Dayo. So that helped me and Rayven get a lot of open shots.”
Tech will now take off the next 10 days during finals before coming back to the USA for a 3:30 p.m. tip on Dec. 14 against UT-Pan American.
