The Texas Tech women’s basketball team was setting the women’s NCAA basketball world on fire this season, roaring out to a 19-0 start, the best in program history. In addition, senior guard Bailey Maupin was also on fire, playing the best basketball of her career. It appeared the No. 19-ranked Red Raiders were poised to claim the Big 12 Conference throne.
That was the case just six days ago. Now, Texas Tech is 19-2 overall, has lost two straight games, and cracks are beginning to show in the once-dominant team.
Once-Dominant Texas Tech Shows Signs of Slipping
Texas Tech suffered its first loss of the season at home to Kansas State, 65-59. The Red Raiders then traveled to Provo, Utah, for a matchup against BYU. The Cougars ended up on the winning side, stopping Texas Tech 73-61.
Maupin and Snudda Collins combined for 28 points in the loss, as the Red Raiders struggled offensively. BYU challenged Texas Tech throughout the game, with Olivia Hamlin, Delaney Gibb, and Lara Rohkohl combining for 53 points. The Cougars’ inside-out attack proved too much for Texas Tech to stop.
BYU DOWNS NO. 19 TEXAS TECH 73-61 FOR FIRST RANKED WIN
PROVO, Utah – BYU earned its first ranked win of the Lee Cummard era on Wednesday by knocking off No. 19 Texas Tech Lady Raiders 73-61 at the Marriott Center.
“Hard-fought game, that is a really good team, really well… pic.twitter.com/s2zBrzeTdH
— Ben Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) January 22, 2026
The two losses dropped Texas Tech to 19-2 overall. Maupin is averaging 15.3 points per game and shooting 44.4% from the field. She is shooting 35.2% from beyond the 3-point arc and is 72-of-86 from the free-throw line. Maupin scored a season-high 27 points on Jan. 7 against West Virginia.
She also logged a season-high 39 minutes on Jan. 13 against the University of Houston, continuing to play a major role for Texas Tech this season. Red Raiders coach Krista Gerlich hopes to continue receiving strong play from her senior as the season progresses.
Texas Tech has three games coming up, beginning with a road contest at Utah on Friday, followed by home games in Lubbock, Texas, against Iowa State and TCU. The Red Raiders remain tied for first place in the Big 12 standings, along with Baylor and TCU, leaving little margin for error.
What once looked like a program-defining start could be at risk of becoming a cautionary tale about peaking too early. The Red Raiders still have time to right the ship, and the coming weeks will determine whether they can regain their early-season form.
