LUBBOCK, Texas (Interstat) — The Texas Tech Lady Raiders delivered a dominant performance from the opening tip, overwhelming the SMU Mustangs 91 to 60 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Thursday night before a crowd of 3,425 at United Spirit Arena.

The Lady Raiders, continuing their strong start to the season, improved to 4 wins and 0 losses, while the Mustangs fell to 1 win and 2 losses.

Texas Tech’s victory was forged in a blistering first quarter where they established a commanding lead they would never relinquish. The Lady Raiders exploded for 30 points in the opening period, fueled by a combination of efficient shooting and stifling defense. The tone was set immediately when Bailey Maupin converted a four-point play just eight seconds into the game, hitting a 3-pointer while being fouled and sinking the ensuing free throw.

SMU, struggling to find any offensive rhythm against Texas Tech’s size and pressure, managed only 12 points in the first quarter. The Mustangs were plagued by early shot clock violations, blocked shots, and turnovers, allowing the Lady Raiders to build an 18-point lead after just ten minutes of play.

Maupin, a guard from Gruver, Texas, was the catalyst for Texas Tech’s offensive onslaught. She finished with a game-high 26 points, showcasing her scoring prowess from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line. She added five assists and two blocks in 34 minutes of action.

She was complemented by a dominant inside presence from forward Jalynn Bristow of Holliday, Texas. Bristow recorded a double-double with 20 points and was a force on the defensive end, tallying three blocks and multiple steals that disrupted SMU’s offensive sets. Her early rejections set a physical tone that the Mustangs could not counter.

The Lady Raiders’ offensive efficiency was staggering. They shot 54 percent from the field, connecting on 31 of 57 attempts, and were equally effective from long range, making 9 of 19 3-pointers for a 47 percent clip. They also capitalized on their opportunities at the charity stripe, converting 20 of 25 free throws.

In contrast, SMU’s offensive struggles were evident throughout the night. The Mustangs shot just 30 percent from the floor, making 22 of 73 shots. While they hit 11 three-pointers, their overall offensive rating of 78.1 paled in comparison to Texas Tech’s mark of 121.5, highlighting the vast disparity in execution.

Texas Tech also controlled the interior, outscoring SMU 42 to 20 in the paint and outblocking the Mustangs 9 to 3.

Snudda Collins provided a significant scoring punch off the bench for the Lady Raiders, contributing 17 points, while post player Jada Malone added 10 points in just 10 minutes of play. Guard Gemma Nunez of Almeria, Spain, orchestrated the offense effectively, dishing out a team-high six assists.

For SMU, guard Tyi Skinner led the way with 15 points, and Ayanna Thompson of DeSoto, Texas, added 11. Kyla Deck from Frisco, Texas, chipped in with 10 points, but the Mustangs could not string together enough consistent possessions to mount a serious challenge after the first-quarter deficit.

The Lady Raiders maintained their intensity after the first quarter, outscoring SMU 27 to 13 in the third period to put the game completely out of reach. The Mustangs showed some fight in the fourth quarter, scoring 18 points, but it was far too little, too late against a Texas Tech team that never trailed.

Texas Tech will look to continue its undefeated streak when it hosts Arkansas on Sunday. SMU, after a season-opening win against Grambling and a narrow loss to Kansas State, will aim to regroup on the road at Grand Canyon on Tuesday.