LUBBOCK, Texas — Asya Bussie scored 19 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked five shots in lifting the No. 18 West Virginia women’s basketball team to a 70-51 win at Texas Tech on Wednesday.
“I thought Asya Bussie was the difference in the game,” West Virginia coach Mike Carey said. “I don’t think they had an answer for Asya Bussie.”
Senior guard Taylor Palmer added 17 points, including four 3s, while Christal Caldwell scored the 1,000th point of her career..
The Mountaineers (17-2, 6-1) shot 48.9 percent from the field, 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from 3-point range and 70.4 percent (19-of-27) from the free-throw line. Texas Tech (6-12, 0-7) made only 30.8 percent from the field, 33.3 percent (4-of-12) from beyond the arc and 78.9 percent (15-of-19) from the foul line.
Texas Tech cut a double-digit deficit to 57-48 with just under five minutes, but West Virginia responded with a 10-1 run.
Caldwell’s layup with 6:34 left in the first half made her the 29th WVU women’s player—and 11th under coach Carey—to record 1,000 points. Caldwell finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
WVU out-rebounded the Lady Raiders 41-28 and capitalized on second-chance points 18-11.
Despite 13 turnovers, Carey said. “Anytime you go on the road and get a 19-point win, we’re happy with that.”
Texas Tech was led in scoring by Amber Battle’s 19 points.
The Mountaineers return to the court on Saturday as they take on the Longhorns of Texas in Austin.