Texas Tech Women Moving Up

Texas Tech validated its highest ranking in eight years with a 100-39 victory over Pacific on Monday night at Lubbock, Texas.

Jia Perkins and Chesley Dabbs each scored 18 points for the No. 4 Red Raiders (9-0).

“I think we really spend some time working hard on the timing in our offense,” Texas Tech Coach Marsha Sharp said. “They understand how important the cuts and passes are in the offense. We really were unselfish tonight.”

Texas Tech was last ranked fourth in February 1995. The Red Raiders had 30 assists, including 13 from guard Erin Grant.

Nancy Dinges’ 12 points led Pacific (0-5).

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For the 90th time, the Connecticut Huskies owned the top spot in Associated Press women’s basketball rankings, tying Tennessee for the most appearances at No. 1. Tennessee was No. 1 for the first time in the 1977-78 preseason poll and led the rankings 63 times before Connecticut first reached the top. Louisiana Tech is third with 83 appearances at No. 1.

MEN

For the third week, a new No. 1 reached the top of AP’s men’s poll. Florida (5-0) moved up one spot to replace Kansas, which lost, 64-58, to Stanford on Saturday in the Wooden Classic.

The Cardinal (4-0), had the week’s biggest jump, moving from 21st to 13th.

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In men’s games, Lamar (5-1) beat Texas Southern (1-4), 79-67, at Beaumont, Texas, to give Coach Billy Tubbs his 600th victory.... New Mexico (3-3) struggled to get its first win over an NCAA Division I school, beating Cal State Sacramento (3-3), 77-63, at Albuquerque.