LARAMIE, Wyo. – The Texas Tech Lady Raiders surged past the Wyoming Cowgirls with a decisive 65-48 victory in the first round of the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT) held at Arena-Auditorium on March 20, 2025. This win advances the Lady Raiders to the next round where they will face off against the Virginia Tech Hokies, who are the overall No. 1 seed, in Blacksburg, Virginia, at 3 p.m. Central Time on Sunday.
In this commanding performance, nine different players from Texas Tech contributed to the scoreboard, highlighting the depth of the team. Leading the way were Jasmine Shavers and Bailey Maupin, each netting 17 points. Their offensive prowess was complemented by Kilah Freelon, who added 10 points, marking her emergence as a consistent scorer this season.
Shavers, who entered the game needing just four points to achieve a personal milestone, did not disappoint. With her 17 points against Wyoming, she not only crossed the 500-point mark for the season but also became only the fifth Lady Raider to achieve back-to-back seasons with over 500 points. Additionally, Shavers showcased her shooting skills, going 7-for-8 from the free throw line, as well as contributing two assists and leading the team in rebounds with five.
Maupin’s performance saw her shoot 6-for-12 from the field, and her contributions included four rebounds and a team-high three assists. Freelon’s ten points came with four rebounds and three steals, demonstrating her all-around game. The success was not limited to just the main offensive players, with Kalysta "Bird" Martin and Achol Magot both scoring for the first time in numerous games. For Martin, this was her first points since December 3, 2024, while Magot hit the board for the first time since November 19, 2024.
The Lady Raiders displayed dominance on both ends of the court. They shot 48% from the field, completing 24 of 50 shots, and made six three-pointers throughout the match. Comparatively, Wyoming struggled, shooting just 34.7% (17-for-49), and only managed single-digit scoring in the second and third quarters.
Texas Tech secured 31 rebounds, 11 assists, seven steals, and showcased a strong defensive effort with four blocks, three of which were recorded by Sarengbe Sanogo. Additionally, the Lady Raiders had a remarkable performance at the free throw line, hitting 91.7% of their shots (11-for-12) and limiting their turnovers to just 10 during the entire game.
The contest began with Wyoming taking an early lead after hitting a three-pointer, quickly answered by a layup from Freelon. The Cowgirls initially held a 9-4 advantage, but Texas Tech started to find its rhythm, with Loghan Johnson contributing critical baskets to help the Lady Raiders close the gap.
As the game progressed, the Lady Raiders executed an excellent defensive strategy, holding Wyoming scoreless for almost four minutes at one point. Following a series of successful shots, including a clutch three-pointer by Martin just before half-time, Texas Tech went into the locker room with a 34-24 lead.
The second half saw Shavers hit a three-pointer right out of the gate, marking the significant milestone of her achieving 500 points this season. As the game continued, Texas Tech maintained control, with a series of strong scoring runs, particularly in the third quarter. By the time the final quarter began, they held onto a lead that they never relinquished.
Despite a late surge from Wyoming that narrowed the gap to 59-48, the Lady Raiders responded confidently with Maupin and Shavers sealing the victory with free throws and a fastbreak layup respectively.
Looking ahead, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders will face Virginia Tech, who had been a powerhouse this season, making for a challenging but exciting matchup.
