ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Senior forward Plenette Pierson scored 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead second-seeded Texas Tech to a 71-48 victory over the No. 6 seed University of New Mexico on Saturday night in the NCAA Midwest Regional game in The Pit. The Lady Raiders used an 18-0 run over the final 7:38 of the first half to break open a close contest. New Mexico, which was making its first-ever Sweet 16 appearance, finished the season with a 24-9 record, while Texas Tech (29-5) advances to face top-seeded Duke on Monday night.
The Lobos never recovered from a nearly eight-minute scoring drought to close the first half. Following a Mandi Moore three pointer which cut the Tech lead to 23-19, the Lady Raiders used a solid defensive effort and an aggressive transition offense to charge into the locker room with a commanding 41-19 lead in front of a stunned crowd of 16,182. New Mexico hit just 7-28 (25%) in the first 20 minutes, including 0-11 to close the half.
UNM senior center Jordan Adams tried to lead the Lobos back with 18 second half points, but Texas Tech was able to answer every Lobo rally. Pierson scored 12 of her 16 in the second period, including eight-straight early in the half.
Adams capped her stellar collegiate career with 20 points, five rebounds and four blocks. Moore scored 14 and dished out four assists in the loss. However, UNM was unable to overcome a 17-52 (32.7%) shooting performance, including just 3-12 (25%) from three-point range, and 16 turnovers.
The Lady Raiders hit 30-60 (50%) from the floor to become the first New Mexico opponent to shoot over 50 percent since Dec. 28, 2000 (85 games). Texas Tech also owned a decisive 39-30 edge on the boards and finished with 22 assists to just 10 turnovers. Forward Jolee Ayers and guard Jia Perkins scored 12 points apiece, while guard Erin Grant notched a game-high eight assists. Perkins also had five of Techs 11 steals on the night as the Lady Raiders moved on to their third Elite Eight appearance.