Texas Tech led by 10 entering the fourth quarter in Kansas City. But a trend that has crept up late in the season surfaced again. Kansas State closed the game on a stunning 21\u20130 run to steal a 58\u201351 win.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur theme the entire week was finish \u2014 particularly finish the game \u2014 and I don\u2019t think that we did that,\u201d Texas Tech head coach Krista Gerlich said afterward. \u201cI felt like we got a little comfortable after the first quarter, and they let them take us out of what we were doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first two buckets of the fourth quarter actually belonged to the Lady Raiders. Jalynn Bristow and Snudda Collins scored on back-to-back looks inside \u2014 a matchup Tech had found success exploiting at times throughout the game and one that seemed poised to help close things out.<\/p>\n
A Kansas State timeout changed that. A defensive adjustment or two took away those isolation opportunities, and Tech\u2019s offense shifted from confident to confused.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we did a good job isolating them and we got a couple of looks in the paint,\u201d Gerlich said. \u201cAnd then we didn\u2019t go back to it. We tried to go back to it, but for whatever reason it wasn\u2019t happening for us. We were just making some silly mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collins \u2014 typically a second-half scorer and late-game closer alongside Bailey Maupin \u2014 scored 10 of her 14 points in the first half. She attempted just three shots after halftime. After a bucket that pushed Tech\u2019s lead to 14 in the fourth quarter, she shot only once more.<\/p>\n
Asked afterward what led to the breakdown late, Collins \u2014 like a senior leader \u2014 placed the responsibility on the group.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing specifically,\u201d Collins said. \u201cIt\u2019s just us together. Poor execution, not taking care of the ball and not doing what Coach Gerlich asked us to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Maupin, who hit buzzer-beaters to end both the second and third quarters, struggled to find rhythm otherwise and went 0-for-7 in the fourth.<\/p>\n
Texas Tech has lost three of their last four games, all of which they have been outscored by least 13 in each of those fourth quarters after entering the quarter with a lead. After early conference wins over top of conference West Virginia and Baylor that both came with fourth quarter comebacks, what had been a strength for much of the season \u2014 closing games \u2014 has suddenly turned into a late-game struggle. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe definitely have to figure that out,\u201d Gerlich said. \u201cThe last three games have not been our best in the fourth quarter. I feel like we really let the pressure get to us late. I even said in a timeout, \u2018Y\u2019all are playing not to lose. You have to play to win.\u2019 And I just feel like we never got over the hump to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
With two weeks off before the NCAA Tournament begins, now the question becomes how quickly the Lady Raiders can take what they need from the loss \u2014 and leave the rest behind. <\/p>\n
The sour taste in their mouth from this cannot become \u201cwhine.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve always taken responsibility,\u201d Gerlich said of her team\u2019s ability to respond to adversity. \u201cThey\u2019ve always been held accountable. I know in that locker room right now they\u2019re all looking inward. And we all have to do that \u2014 coaches included.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what they don\u2019t do is look outward and try to find someone to blame. That\u2019s the great makeup of this team. They truly are a team, and they want to individually do well for the team. The challenge now is that it\u2019s going to be a long time before we play again. It\u2019ll take a little while to get over it, but we have to let it go.\u201d <\/p>\n
With nine seniors, the weight of a season nearing its end can feel heavy. Whether that pressure played a role in the late collapse or not, the Lady Raiders still have more basketball ahead.<\/p>\n
Few understand that urgency better than Collins. A year ago, she thought her basketball career might be over. She did not play last season and was working selling cars, moving on to adulthood instead. Then an opportunity arose with Texas Tech and she finds herself staring at the end again \u2013 this time knowing exactly what follows.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s been my motivation this entire season,\u201d Collins said. \u201cExperiencing that one year, you definitely miss it a lot. Right now I\u2019m in my last year, so I want to make it last as long as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re blessed enough to play again. We just have to make those adjustments and learn that moving forward we have to finish those games.\u201d <\/p>\n
About the author: Follow her on X:\u00a0@ShelbyCHilliard<\/a><\/p>\n Join the conversation with other Red Raiders on the\u00a0Inside The Double T<\/a>\u00a0forum.<\/p>\n Subscribe today<\/a>\u00a0to get the most in-depth Texas Tech sports and recruiting coverage.<\/p>\n Follow us on X:\u00a0@RedRaiderSports<\/a><\/p>\n Like and follow us on Instagram\u00a0@rrs_rivals<\/a>\u00a0& like us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Shelby Hiliard has worked in sports media since graduating with dual masters degrees from Texas Tech in 2014. She joined Red Raider Sports as a writer in 2025 and is also the host of Texas Tech Sports podcast\u00a0\u201cSeeing Scarlet\u201d on YouTube.<\/a><\/p>\n