LUBBOCK, Texas -- Midwestern State's Kirsti Degelia dropped in a game-high 18 points as the Mustangs battled Texas Tech tough before falling 77-62 Sunday afternoon at United Spirit Arena.
 
"We saw a little bit of our character today," MSU coach Noel Johnson said. "We have to respond better to pressure. Credit to TTU, they don't let you come off of cuts very easily. We didn't win the war but we won a lot of battles."
 
The taller, quicker Lady Raiders harassed MSU into 26 turnovers, but the Mustangs more than held their ground against a Big 12 program which qualified for the WNIT a season ago.
 
"I'm very proud of this team," Johnson said. 'We've only practiced 16 times and we're starting four sophomores and a junior. I was proud of how we challenged each kid at each position. They were bigger and maybe a little stronger, but I'm proud of our effort today."
 
Texas Tech used its size advantage to claim a 47-35 advantage on the glass resulting in a 21-6 edge in second-chance points equaling its margin of victory.
 
The Lady Raiders ran out to a 12-2 three minutes into the contest before MSU barreled back to pull within four points on two occasions in the opening half as Tech took a 38-27 lead into halftime.
 
MSU clawed back to within 43-35 on a Shatoia Gober's layup with 15:17 to play in the second, but that's as close as it would get. But the Mustangs stuck within four points of Texas Tech in the second stanza with the Lady Raiders edging MSU 39-35 after halftime.
 
Degelia, a junior from Krum, connected on 5-of-13 shots from the field including three 3-pointers while adding three rebounds and an assist.
 
Junior forward Skyler Warrick bombed in a pair of treys to finish with 15 points and two rebounds in 14 minutes of court time while sophomore transfer Shambreka Jones scored nine points and pulled down seven rebounds.
 
Texas Tech's Kelsi Baker had 16 points to lead a pack of four Lady Raiders in double figures.
 
Midwestern State opens the regular season Friday night against McMurry (Texas) at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.