LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – After a (19-0) start to this season, the No. 7-seeded Lady Raiders 2025-26 magic season continues as they beat the No. 10-seeded Villanova Wildcats 57-52 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday night.
While the Big 12 Tournament did not go as planned as they fell 58-51 to Kansas State in their first game, Head Coach Krista Gerlich made it clear that her team grew from that experience.
“We spent a lot of time on Lady Raiders basketball and just making sure that we feel really good about what we do, because I do think that’s super important that you don’t try to get too specific about who you’re playing and you’ve got to do what got you here, and so we took some time to really shoot the basketball and kind of get back in a rhythm,” said Lady Raiders Head Coach Krista Gerlich. “So I think they’re really prepared for this opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament.”
The Lady Raiders received a balanced performance from multiple players on the roster Friday night. Texas Tech has nine different players record points in their five point win.
“Everybody is trying to bottle up that March Madness and see who can get on the roll and get hot at the right time,” said Gerlich. “We just had fun playing with each other, we loved one another, and we just refused to lose and didn’t even think about losing. ”
Now the Lady Raiders will turn toward their next matchup on Sunday as they will play the No. 2-seeded LSU Tigers.
“You’re not going to play an easy opponent in the NCAA tournament so we’re going to have to really be prepared,” said Gerlich. “We’re going to have to really rely on what got us here, and that’s our defense.”
The Tigers are fresh off of a first round win over Jacksonville 116-58 on Friday. The Lady Raiders will look to slow down LSU’s momentum when the two teams meet up in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Sunday.
No. 7-seeded Texas Tech will face No.2-seeded LSU 2 p.m. Sunday on ABC and on the Texas Tech Radio Network.
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