Bailey Maupin Passes Krista Gerlich on All-Time Scoring List in Texas Tech Win
The turning point in Texas Tech’s 79–52 win over UTSA didn’t come from a specific play or even a history making basket by Bailey Maupin. It came from a response. Midway through the third quarter a physical, chippy stretch led to three technical fouls being assessed. From that moment on the Lady Raiders flipped the game, outscoring UTSA 40–14 the rest of the way.
Senior captain Bailey Maupin summed it up best.
“At that point, it’s just a matter of having your teammates’ backs,” she said postgame. “For Jalynn and Denae to go out and put their bodies on the line and show that they care, that’s only right for us to go back into the game and show them that we have their backs as well. We knew it was time to turn it on. You know, when things like that happen, you either rise to the occasion or you fall.”
For head coach Krista Gerlich, the game was always going to be about toughness, that was their number one key on the scouting report. Even without an ounce of tape on a UTSA team that hadn’t played yet this season, the staff knew one thing – UTSA is going to bring the physicality. It’s their trademark under former Texas coach Karen Aston who led the Roadrunners to a conference title last season.
“We knew they were going to be tough. They’re a conference championship team. They won their conference last year. They will do it again this year. Very well-coached, and they play super hard. In fact, our theme for their game was to win the paint and defend the paint. And you can see why, because it was so physical.
I didn’t think that we came out with the right mindset for attack mode. And I felt like we kind of played on our heels a little bit in the first half. But I thought our kids really, really, really responded in the second half and really enjoyed the battle.”
Bailey Maupin Moves Past Her Coach in the Record Book
Thursday night gave Texas Tech a scoring milestone few players, or coaches, get to share.
With 19 points in the win, Bailey Maupin passed her own head coach, Krista Gerlich, for 14th on Texas Tech’s all-time scoring list, adding another chapter to a Lady Raider career built on loyalty, development and legacy.
Maupin found out in the most Maupin way possible – casual, humble and, most certainly in her mind, secondary to the game.
“She just let me know actually,” Maupin said with a smile when asked if she had let her coach know yet that she overtook her. “But no, it’s an honor to have my name talked about in the same place that hers is. It’s an honor.”
Her night reflected that same team-first approach. Maupin didn’t attempt a shot in the third quarter before busting out for 11 points in the fourth.
“We were just hitting the hot hand. And maybe in the third quarter, it wasn’t me. I’m pretty sure it was Denae in the third quarter. But when you pass the ball, and you move the ball and you have great teammates, it always seems to come back.”
For Gerlich, the moment was special for a number of reasons but most of all because Maupin chose to stay when she had every reason and offer to leave. She wanted to finish what she started and leave a legacy. Last night was one line of that legacy written in passing the head coach who started recruiting her in middle school.
“I love it; that’s why you bring them here, right? I want them to come in here and, oh my gosh, I want them to be the second national championship team at Texas Tech.”
“With the way the transfer portal is … it speaks to Bailey for sticking and staying here and leaving her name and her legacy in the record books; that’s big time.”
Maupin’s 19-point performance pushed her to 1,337 career points, now 14th all-time, with Kierra Mallard’s 1,364 points next in her line of sight. If all stays on pace the senior has a chance to work herself well into the Top 10 and perhaps Top 5.
Snudda Collins Settling in With Back-to-Back Double Digit Scoring Efforts
Texas Tech didn’t pull away from UTSA until the second half and the spark from Snudda Collins played a big role in breaking it open. Playing in just her second game since returning to basketball after a year off, the senior Ole Miss transfer delivered 16 points in 24 minutes with 11 coming in the second half.
“I feel blessed. I’m grateful that I have the opportunity,” said Collins postgame. “I’m just taking it a day at a time, getting comfortable with this new program and the new spot. It’s a blessing. I’m excited for the season.”
Against UTSA, her offense showed up when the game’s grip tightened. A player that seems to play better when the intensity of the game matches her own.
She’s also doing all of this as the team’s sixth-man option, providing a rare explosive scoring punch off the bench as a game changing option for Gerlich.
“Right now, I think I just need to get a little more active in the first half. But, like I said, I’m taking it a day at a time. And I’m just doing whatever Coach Gerlich needs me to do coming off the bench.”
Gerlich herself knows what she has in Collins and wasn’t at all surprised by her performance and only expects her role to grow as she gets more comfortable in the system.
“She is a dynamic score for sure and she’s an elite athlete… her jump shot is next level.”
Everything Else
- Sara Sanogo had her first double digit performance of the season adding 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks and two steals.
- Gemma Núñez became only the third Lady Raider all-time to post a stat line of at least 7 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds and 5 steals.
- Denae Fritz added two more threes and is now shooting over 40% from distance after two games played.
- Julie Nekolna and Mariam Sanogo both got early minutes due to foul trouble and did their job. Gerlich credited Nekolna for her hard work on the boards getting 2 rebounds in 4 minutes played. And Sanogo for executing a screen on an end-of-quarter buzzer beating three by Adlee Blacklock.
What’s Next: Home Vs. Texas State 11/9 at 2pm
Texas Tech continues a three games in six days stretch to open the season when Texas State comes to town on Sunday. The Bobcats enter the game 0-1 after a 72-66 loss to Ohio on Monday. Game time set for 2pm at the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock. BE THERE!
Broadcast can be found on ESPN+
Photo Gallery: Texas Tech vs. UTSA Women’s Basketball
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