The gap opened early for the Lady Toppers on Wednesday night, and they could never close it.

The Western Kentucky women’s basketball team (3-9) shot 22 percent from the field at No. 15 Texas Tech, and allowed the Lady Raiders to fire 53.7 percent in a 75-38 loss at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas.

“When we’d get open shots, their reaction to close out was quicker than what we’ve seen,” WKU coach Mary Taylor Cowles said. “I think we were a little rushed on some of our shots, but we had great shots. I don’t really know that I can call out bad shots that were taken.”

No player scored in double figures for WKU, which was led by senior forward LaTeira Owens’ seven points. Texas Tech (10-0) had 11 players score, with six totaling at least seven points.

The Lady Raiders made 8 of 12 3-point shots in the game. The Lady Toppers missed all 11 of their attempts from behind the arc.

“They came out from the tip and knocked down shots,” WKU freshman guard Alexis Govan said. “And from the tip, we got good shots and weren’t converting. It was a rough shooting night.”

Texas Tech led wire-to-wire, starting with a 3-pointer by junior guard Casey Morris, who led all scorers with 11 points.

The Lady Raiders started the game on an 11-0 run, but WKU cut its deficit to 16-10 with a layup by sophomore forward Mimi Hill at the 10:36 mark.

Texas Tech outscored the Lady Toppers 19-6 over the rest of the half, taking a 35-16 lead into the break. WKU didn’t record its first field goal of the game until more than five minutes had passed.

“The plays that we have – they work,” freshman guard Ileana Johnson said. “We just have to be able to finish.”

After a jumper by senior guard Vanessa Obafemi pulled WKU within 43-23 with 17:41 left, Texas Tech rattled off another 11-0 run. The Lady Raiders scored 27 points off 20 WKU turnovers, eventually making the final margin their largest lead of the game.

“They’re a good enough basketball team that they have the ability to make those kinds of runs,” Cowles said. “We didn’t step up and knock those down quick enough. Looking back to the way I coached the game, we probably should have mixed up more man and zone defense early on to make them stop and think a little bit.”

Govan and Johnson scored six points apiece for WKU, which recorded five assists. The Lady Toppers got 14 more shots than Texas Tech, but made 11 fewer.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of them doubting whether or not they can knock down those shots,” Cowles said. “I think it was a bad shooting night, and you have to credit Texas Tech’s defense. Their defense was very physical and quick on the recovery.”

The Lady Toppers return to action Dec. 29, when they travel to Louisiana-Monroe. WKU began 1-0 in conference play with a home win over Florida International on Dec. 11.

“This is behind us,” Govan said. “We’re in conference, and we’ve had a tough schedule. We’ve prepared, and when it comes to conference time, we’re going to be mad. All of the beatings that we’ve gotten, we’re going to take them out on someone else in conference.”

Mosley serves suspension

Cowles confirmed after Wednesday’s game that senior forward Keshia Mosley was suspended for the contest because of a violation of team policy.

Mosley made the trip with the Lady Toppers and was on the bench, but not in uniform. Cowles declined to comment on the nature of the rule violation.

“When she’s playing and is consistent and strong, she’s difficult to guard,” Cowles said. “Had she been on her game and been on the floor in uniform, she could have been a very positive influence for us tonight.”

Cowles said she expects Mosley to return for the Louisiana-Monroe game.

WKU may also have back the services of freshman guard Danay Fothergill, who’s been out since late November with a broken bone in her foot.

Fothergill will be ready to go physically, Cowles said, but needs a few more days to return to a practice routine.