Lady Raiders seek revenge and league elevation.
Lubbock is about to be loud. No. 20 Texas Tech returns to the United Supermarkets Arena on Wednesday night for a high-stakes Big 12 battle against No. 15 Baylor, tipping at 6 p.m.
It’s more than just another conference game; it’s a chance for the Lady Raiders to tighten the race near the top of the standings and prove their December win in Waco was no fluke.
That 61-60 thriller over Baylor earlier this season snapped a 31-game losing streak to the Bears and marked Tech’s first road win in Waco since 2004.
Now the rematch shifts to Lubbock, where Krista Gerlich’s squad has a chance to secure its third top-15 victory of the season.
The Lady Raiders have already knocked off No. 15 Baylor and No. 12 TCU, and another ranked win would tie them with West Virginia for the most top-15 victories in the Big 12 this year.
It would also create a traffic jam in the conference standings.
A win pushes Tech to 11-4 in league play, potentially tying Baylor and West Virginia for second place behind TCU. One key to Tech’s success? Fast starts and strong finishes.
The Lady Raiders have dominated second quarters in Big 12 play, outscoring conference opponents 252-201 in that frame alone.
They’ve also been sharp in the first and fourth quarters, building early leads and closing with confidence. Overall, Tech has piled up a +149 scoring margin in second quarters across all games this season, a sign of depth, adjustments and conditioning.
Baylor, meanwhile, enters at 22-5 overall and 11-3 in conference action.
The Bears are balanced and physical, averaging 73.0 points while allowing just 58.9 per game. Taliah Scott leads the offense at 20.6 points per contest, while Darianna Littlepage-Buggs averages a double-double with 10.8 points and 10.5 rebounds.
Jana Van Gytenbeek (172 assists) orchestrates the attack, and Kiersten Johnson anchors the defense with 49 blocks.
For Tech, it’s about pace, poise and protecting home court. Wednesday is also Student & Fan Appreciation Night - black-out attire encouraged - with rally towels and replica jerseys for early arrivals.
Ranked opponent. Conference implications. Revenge on the line.
If the Lady Raiders want to keep climbing in the Big 12 race, this is the kind of night that could produce March momentum in February.