Now 13-0, Texas Tech women's basketball enters 'prove it' mode in Big 12 play

Krista Gerlich understands the skepticism, the hesitation to fully accept this year's Texas Tech women's basketball team is a different animal to squads of the past half-decade.

The Lady Raiders head coach knows that getting to 13-0, caught in the middle of College Football Playoff mania and on the heels of successful runs from the likes of the softball and men's basketball teams, it's hard to get everybody's attention.

Successful non-conference schedules have come before, so why is Texas Tech's latest run any different?

"To be really honest and transparent," Gerlich said after Texas Tech's 76-40 win over Jacksonville on Education Day, "we have better players. We've got more pieces. We've built that up. And that's not to say anything about the teams that we've had before. I think they've done a great job of doing what we've asked them to do, but we've got specific players that are really in tune with what we're trying to do, and they do a great job of executing."

That was on display Wednesday morning in United Supermarkets Arena. Many of those past Lady Raider teams would be in dogfights against most teams if they shot 3-of-24 from 3-point range like they did against the Dolphins. Instead, Texas Tech focused its energy on the defensive end, holding Jacksonville to 14 points in the first half and 27% shooting from the field for the entire game.

And more pieces are starting to materialize as the season has progressed. Jaylnn Bristow (10 points, four rebounds, three blocks), Snudda Collins (nine points, five rebounds) and Bailey Maupin (4-of-10 shooting, 11 points, seven assists) were relatively quiet in the scoring column, but the Lady Raiders got big contributions elsewhere.

Sarengbe Sanogo tallied a career-high 14 points on 7-of-8 from the field while Denae Fritz — whose missed free throw prevented the elementary school fans from enjoying a 6-7 celebration — tallied 10 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 14 in the game.

Sanogo is one who Gerlich has worked with to improve her offensive viability in the post, starting with getting her more comfortable catching and handling the ball.

"I think Sara just knows that she has to be more productive," Gerlich said, "so today I felt like our guards did a great job of attacking and making the right read, which was to get her the ball moving towards the basket."

One thing that stands out to Gerlich about this year's team is how the Lady Raiders take care of business. Even in the mucky 10-point win over Abilene Christian in Odessa on Sunday, Gerlich never saw her team waver in their effort, something that hasn't always been the case.

"I feel like this team hasn't had those moments where it's like we're throwing our hands up and they're just not locked in," Gerlich said. "I think that goes to their maturity. I think that goes to their mindset."

Now Texas Tech will put its exceptional start to the season under the microscope. Big 12 Conference play kicks off Sunday with the Lady Raiders visiting 15th-ranked Baylor. Enough fans have shown interest in going to the game that Tech put together a fan bus to travel to Waco.

Gerlich understands not everybody is on board with her team just yet, but also knows a team's success can be boosted by fan support.

"I'm excited for Lady Raider Nation to get behind us and help us, because we need that help," Gerlich said. "I clearly get that. We have to prove it to people, but at the same time, like, jump on board and come help us, right? Because it takes all of us to get it done. So if you believe in us, I think that will go a long way."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech women's basketball remains unbeaten with Big 12 play on the way