Bre'Amber Scott returns to home state as Texas Tech faces Arkansas in WNIT Super 16
The Texas Tech women's basketball team was disappointed to not host a third consecutive postseason game, but there's at least one player who is embracing the road trip.
Bre'Amber Scott, playing in the final games of her collegiate career, will be back in her home state Friday when the Lady Raiders face Arkansas in the Women's National Invitation Tournament Super 16.
Soon after Monday night's announcement of the 7 p.m. tip-off in Fayetteville, Ark., Scott tweeted, "Awwww Yuhhhh I’m coming Home."
"It is full circle for Bre," Tech coach Krista Gerlich said Wednesday, "and I think that's fantastic. I think it's great that her family and friends will have an opportunity to come out and support, because Arkansas' a good ways from Lubbock. For her to be away from home for a couple of years and to be able to go back and show how much she's grown, how much she's developed.
"And she's so popular, in the state of Arkansas especially. She's such a prolific player that people really look up to her and really admire her."
On the opposing bench, the feeling is more of respect. Razorbacks coach Mike Neighbors told Arkansas media this week that Scott will be a primary focus for his defensive game plan.
Neighbors added that he considered Scott when she was in the transfer portal after stints at Mississippi State and Arkansas-Little Rock.
"We've played her (at) a couple different places. We're very familiar with her," Neighbors said. " … I do think familiarity with another team's top players is good for us. I think it allows us to focus. And those kids usually come in here and they either play great or not great. There's usually no in between."
Scott is wrapping up her second season with Tech. She attended Little Rock Central High School, where she was teammates with Razorbacks forward Erynn Barnum. Both Central alumnae lead their teams in scoring, with Scott averaging 16.7 points per game and Barnum 15.3.
Barnum, an all-Southeastern Conference second-team selection, scored six points on 3-of-4 shooting as Arkansas (23-12) eased past Stephen F. Austin 60-37 Monday in the WNIT second round. She added six rebounds and averages 6.3 per game, good for second on the team.
Three other Razorbacks average double-digit scoring, and SEC all-freshman pick Saylor Poffenbarger is fifth at 8.7 points per contest. Neighbors mentioned Poffenbarger will be the primary defender on Scott, with Makayla Daniels matching up with the Lady Raiders' top scorer as well. Neighbors called Daniels one of the best on-ball defenders in the country over the past four years.
Following Tech's 61-49 win over SMU on Monday, Gerlich compared Arkansas to Big 12 Conference foe Oklahoma in the way the Razorbacks play up-tempo and can shoot beyond the arc. Arkansas shoots 30.2% from 3-point range, led by Chrissy Carr. Carr, who averages 11.7 points, has made 81 treys at a 33.6% clip, despite going 0 of 4 against SFA.
"They have a very difficult philosophy to defend," Gerlich said. "They love to shoot the 3-ball. It'll be very much like playing Oklahoma. They'll be fast, they'll shoot the 3-ball, they'll run. So we'll definitely have to get to them on the 3-point line."
Bailey Maupin figures to help Scott with Tech's offensive load again. The Big 12 all-freshman selection scored a game-high 21 points on Monday, her fifth consecutive game in double figures.
"I think Bailey definitely had a confidence about her (Monday)," Gerlich said. "She had an explosiveness about her. … I thought Bailey did a great job of continuing to attack the basket."
Women's National Invitation Tournament Super 16
Who: Texas Tech at Arkansas
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, Ark.
Records: Texas Tech 20-14; Arkansas 23-12
Radio: 107.7 FM
Live stream: ESPN+
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Bre’Amber Scott returns to home state as Tech faces Arkansas in WNIT Super 16
