Texas Tech fought off its own slow start and a furious rally from West Virginia to beat the Mountaineers 75-66 Wednesday night at United Supermarkets Arena.
It was the first win over a Top 25 opponent since beating Kansas on January 19, 2013.
“We needed to get this signature win for them to believe what we’re telling them all the time they are good enough to compete with the best in this league,” Texas Tech head coach Candi Whitaker said.
The Lady Raiders fell behind 10-0 after missing their first six shots of the game before Recee’ Caldwell finally found the bottom of the net more than three minutes into the game.
Texas Tech started the second quarter on an 18-4 run and went into the half with a 29-25 lead.
That lead was extended to 17 points on a Larryn Brooks three-pointer early in the fourth quarter but that’s when the Mountaineers started their comeback.
Lanay Montgomery capped a 21-4 run with a layup to tie the game at 60 but the Lady Raiders scored on back-to-back possession including another Caldwell three to take the lead for good.
Caldwell finished with 21 points and made five three-pointers after shooting 1-for-14 from behind the arch in the last two games.
“It’s a huge win for us and I think it comes at a critical time,” Whitaker said. “We have a tough week. West Virignia and then OU on the road before our bye.”
Texas Tech (11-5, 3-2) returns to the court against Oklahoma at 2 p.m. Saturday in Norman.
