{"id":35597,"date":"2025-11-05T01:14:39","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T01:14:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/35597\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T01:14:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T01:14:39","slug":"nunez-and-bristow-shine-in-lady-raiders-season-opening-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/35597\/","title":{"rendered":"N\u00fa\u00f1ez and Bristow Shine in Lady Raiders\u2019 Season-Opening Win"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was a night of debuts. A debut for the 2025\u201326 Texas Tech Lady Raiders, a debut for new point guard Gemma N\u00fa\u00f1ez<\/a> and perhaps a reintroduction for Jalynn Bristow<\/a> whose breakout performance, including career highs in three categories, surprised no one.<\/p>\n

Texas Tech\u2019s 78\u201340 win over defending CAA champion North Carolina A&T wasn\u2019t perfect, but it revealed plenty about what this veteran laden team hopes to be this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just really good to see our girls on the court in front of our crowd,\u201d Gerlich said. \u201cI think they saw an exciting brand of basketball and a couple of really good players have some record nights against a really good team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gemma N\u00fa\u00f1ez Looks Right at Home<\/p>\n

\"\"Gemma N\u00fa\u00f1ez | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

If there were any first-game nerves, N\u00fa\u00f1ez never showed them. The senior transfer from Campbell ran the offense with poise, controlled the tempo and anchored Tech\u2019s full-court press. Her presence was instantaneous, making a pass on the first offensive possession that led to Bristow free throws followed by her joining with Bristow on a trap in the press to force a jump ball. She was everywhere and finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals \u2013 a stat line that looked like it came from someone who\u2019s been in this system for years, not weeks. <\/p>\n

That\u2019s a product of her dedication. N\u00fa\u00f1ez turned down an invitation to join Spain\u2019s 3\u00d73 national team this summer, choosing instead to move to Lubbock and integrate with her new teammates. Even though she wasn\u2019t eligible to compete with the Lady Raiders at the World University Games in Germany she still wanted to take part in the practices all summer. That time together paid off.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a great opportunity for me to see how the team worked, how Coach wanted to run the offense, the defense and everything,\u201d N\u00fa\u00f1ez said. \u201cJust being on the sideline and watching how they did it helped a lot. And now this preseason, being able to contribute on the court \u2014 just doing whatever the team needs me to do to win.\u201d<\/p>\n

The familiarity showed against an opponent she knew well. Having spent the past three years in the CAA, N\u00fa\u00f1ez faced North Carolina A&T multiple times, even scoring her season high against them last year. She looked just as comfortable in new colors.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally proud of Gemma and just her floor leadership,\u201d Gerlich said. \u201cShe really controlled the game on both ends of the floor. The pace that she pushes on offense is going to help us tremendously throughout the year.\u201d<\/p>\n

A former All-CAA Defensive Team selection, N\u00fa\u00f1ez\u2019s defensive instincts were on full display in her debut. She led all players with four steals, routinely jumping passing lanes and setting the tone for Tech\u2019s press.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s so fun for us, but also for the people in the stands to watch us get steals and having that pressure on them,\u201d N\u00fa\u00f1ez said. \u201cI think it\u2019s just so fun. And I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was something Bristow echoed herself, noting the chemistry she and N\u00fa\u00f1ez, as well as the rest of the guards, have already built in the press.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love it,\u201d Bristow said. \u201cI love being at the top. It\u2019s really fun to trap, and especially having Gemma up there now \u2013 it\u2019s like she knows exactly what I\u2019m thinking. You know, if there needs to be adjustments made, she can always tell me. Coach can always see what she sees from the sideline too. So I think it\u2019s really fun to have a little bunch of quick and athletic guards out there with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bristow\u2019s Breakout That Everyone Saw Coming<\/p>\n

\"\"Jalynn Bristow | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

A year ago, Jalynn Bristow was working to carve out her role. On Monday, she announced herself as the player everyone around the program has been expecting to see.<\/p>\n

Bristow posted 19 points, 9 rebounds and 7 blocks, all career highs, while committing only three fouls \u2013 a marked improvement from foul trouble that limited her minutes at times last season. The near-triple-double drew laughs postgame as Gerlich told her, \u201cYou\u2019re leading the nation in blocks right now\u2026 it\u2019ll be a little while before anybody catches you.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked what clicked this offseason, Bristow pointed to both structure and family. While her head coach emphasized confidence gained from the work put in this offseason, Bristow herself was more direct. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt really was just working on really focusing and locking in on exactly the shots and looks that are in our offense,\u201d Bristow said. \u201cSo definitely getting to work on those with Coach Ketara [Chapel] helped a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also credited her time working with her mom and brother over the offseason.\u00a0Perhaps not as impactful for some athletes but having a former college basketball player as a parent and a 6\u201910 brother in\u00a0Keitenn Bristow<\/a>\u00a0who plays for Alabama adds quite the training ground element to family one-on-ones.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mom had us out there all summer,\u201d she added. \u201cShe\u2019s big on us guarding each other no matter how tall or strong \u2014 no fouls, just one-on-one.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was only one game but it was almost a casual triple double effort for the junior who showed what she can do both in the paint defensively and at all three levels on offense. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou saw some glimpses of Jalynn being able to put up some big numbers,\u201d Gerlich said. \u201cShe had a career night in all three categories: 19, nine, and seven, and that\u2019s just the start.\u201d<\/p>\n

How it Happened<\/p>\n

\"\"Denae Fritz | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

The Lady Raiders\u2019 night as a whole followed its own rhythm. Texas Tech jumped out to a 20\u20135 first-quarter lead behind a defense that didn\u2019t allow a score until mid-way through the quarter and crisp ball movement on offense. As you\u2019d expect of the reigning CAA champs and preseason picks to win it all again this year, however, NC A&T responded in the second quarter by throwing out matchup zones and disguised defenses that forced Tech into rushed shots and sloppy spacing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually thought that we were rushing the three ball in the first half,\u201d Gerlich said. \u201cA&T did a really good job of changing defenses on us, especially when their big girl got in foul trouble. So they went more to a zone, but it kind of looked like a box-in-one at times when they were face-guarding Gemma.\u201d<\/p>\n

After scoring just 13 points in the second quarter, Tech regrouped at halftime and exploded for 29 in the third \u2014 more than they scored in any single quarter all of last season, according to the Texas Tech Sports Network radio broadcast.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we got after them a little bit at halftime and and I think that they listened to what we were telling them,\u201d said Gerlich. \u201cI thought that just on their three point shooting their feet were set. They took their time, they made the extra pass to be able to get those looks and their defensive intensity was a lot better as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Lady Raiders forced 22 turnovers, turned them into 20 fast-break points, and scored 34 points in the paint. They put up 20 or more in the first and third quarters but less than 20 in the second and fourth \u2014 early signs that stamina and rotation rhythm will be a storyline to watch as the season unfolds.<\/p>\n

Everything Else<\/p>\n

Bailey Maupin<\/a> nearly opened the season with a triple-double: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists.<\/p>\n

Snudda Collins<\/a>, playing her first game in more than a year, scored 13 of her 15 points in the second half.<\/p>\n

Denae Fritz<\/a> hit three threes (3-8) to lead the team in that category and added 11 points.<\/p>\n

Five different players scored in double figures for the Lady Raiders (Bristow, N\u00fa\u00f1ez, Maupin, Collins and Fritz) and five different players had at least five rebounds (Bristow, Sanogo, N\u00fa\u00f1ez, Maupin, Collins.)<\/p>\n

Texas Tech shot 44% from the field, outrebounded A&T 45\u201337, and more than doubled the pregame analytic spread (Tech by 19). The largest lead reached 40.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next: Home Vs. UTSA 11\/6 at 6pm<\/p>\n

\"\"Sara Sanogo | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

Texas Tech continues their opening week with another game against a reigning conference champion as the UTSA Roadrunners come to town on Thursday night. Game time set for 6pm at the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock. BE THERE!<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to see our offensive flow get better,\u201d Gerlich said of what she wants this team to keep working on over these non-conference games ahead. \u201cYou know, we turned the ball over so much last year \u2014 actually, the last two years \u2014 that we really want to focus on valuing possessions, and I think we did a better job of that tonight, but 14 is still too many.\u201d<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: Texas Tech vs. North Carolina A&T Women\u2019s Basketaball<\/p>\n

\"\"Gemma N\u00fa\u00f1ez | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Denae Fritz | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Gemma N\u00fa\u00f1ez | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Texas Tech halftime entertainment | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Gemma N\u00fa\u00f1ez | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Gemma N\u00fa\u00f1ez | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Bailey Maupin | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Denae Fritz | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Bailey Maupin, Jalynn Bristow | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Bailey Maupin | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Snudda Collins | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Texas Tech Lady Raiders | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Snudda Collins | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Jalynn Bristow | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Bailey Maupin | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Gemma N\u00fa\u00f1ez | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Snudda Collins | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Bailey Maupin | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Snudda Collins | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Jalynn Bristow | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Denae Fritz | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Sara Sanogo | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Jada Malone | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Lady Raiders | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Jalynn Bristow | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Denae Fritz | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Bailey Maupin & Gemma N\u00fa\u00f1ez<\/p>\n

\"\"Gemma N\u00fa\u00f1ez | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Jalynn Bristow | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Denae Fritz | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Gemma N\u00fa\u00f1ez | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Sara Sanogo | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

\"\"Adlee Blacklock | Shelby Hilliard, RedRaiderSports<\/p>\n

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