Head coach Candi Whitaker announced the 2016 Texas Tech Lady Raider Basketball non-conference schedule on Thursday, which features two road games against SEC opponents and a trip to Miami, Fla.
“Our non-conference schedule is tough and will test us early,” Whitaker said. “We play Texas A&M, Arkansas & Miami on the road. We host New Mexico, North Dakota and Central Arkansas who are all coming off postseason appearances. We are excited to welcome back to Tech former Lady Raider great Krista Gerlich and her UT Arlington team. The strength of this schedule will prepare us for the Big 12 and improve our RPI which is so important for the postseason.”
The Lady Raiders begin with an exhibition tilt against Midwestern State on Nov. 6. One week later, Tech hosts North Dakota, on Nov. 13.
On Nov. 17, the Lady Raiders head to College Station for a rivalry renewal against Texas A&M. The 2011 NCAA Champs are coming off a 22-10 season, in which they advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
From there, the Lady Raiders return to the United Supermarkets Arena to take on New Mexico on Nov. 20. Then Tech hits the road again, traveling to Miami, Fla., for the Miami Tournament. Confirmed teams in attendance are the hosts, Miami, who went 24-9 a season ago and earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and Fordham, who Tech defeated at the 2015 South Point Shootout.
The Lady Raiders end November at home on the 29th against Prairie View A&M. After that, Tech travels to Arkansas, where the Lady Raiders will take on the Razorbacks as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Dec. 3.
The Lady Raiders close the non-conference slate with a four-game homestand, taking on Houston (Dec. 7), Central Arkansas (Dec. 14), Alcorn State (Dec. 18) and UT Arlington (Dec. 22), which comes to Lubbock with former Lady Raider Krista Gerlich at the helm. Gerlich played shooting guard from 1989-1993 and helped guide the Lady Raiders to the 1993 National Championship, while picking up All-Southwest Conference honors three times. She also was named to the 1993 SWC All-Tournament team, the 1993 West Regional All-Tournament team and the 1993 Final Four All-Tournament team.
New season ticket deposits can be purchased for $20 online. A Texas Tech Ticket Office representative will contact you in July with seat options, and fans will have the opportunity to take advantage of an affordable five-month payment plan. The $20 deposit will go towards the full price of a 2016-17 season ticket.
Fans also can renew their season tickets or purchase season ticket deposits in person at the Texas Tech Athletics Ticket Office located on the East Side of Jones AT&T Stadium or over the phone at (806) 742-8324. Information on single-game tickets and mini-plans will be announced at a later date by the Tech Athletics Ticket Office.
The Lady Raiders return both All-Big 12 performers from the 2015-16 season in Japreece Dean and Ivonne CookTaylor, who led the Lady Raiders to their first Big 12 Tournament win since 2012.
The Lady Raiders showed flashes of what is to come multiple times last season, including taking eventual national semifinalist Washington to the wire in a 77-73 defeat in Las Vegas.
Tech’s heralded transfers Recee’ Caldwell, Larryn Brooks and Jada Terry become eligible this season, but the Lady Raiders also bring in one of their most complete recruiting classes in recent memory, landing Brittany Brewer and Arella Guirantes, both of whom were in the ESPNU Hoopgurlz top 100, and Grayson Bright, ranked one of the nation’s top-100 wing players.
