Texas Tech offense catches fire in big win over Oklahoma State
Jan 9, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Warren Washington (22) goes to the basket against Oklahoma State Cowboys center Brandon Garrison (23) in the first half at United Supermarkets Arena. credits: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports Texas Tech survived a wobbly beginning and found a torrid shooting touch at the right time to blaze past Oklahoma State 90-73 on Tuesday in Lubbock, Texas, and enhance an impressive start to Big 12 Conference play.
The Red Raiders (13-2, 2-0 Big 12) made 35 of 59 shots from the field (59.3 percent) to win their eighth win in a row and snap a three-game skid to the Cowboys. Texas Tech is 2-0 in league play for the first time since 2019.
Oklahoma State (8-7, 0-2) led 11-3 and 20-11 early, in large part because Texas Tech struggled to hit shots. But that changed dramatically after Texas Tech's 14-2 surge to move in front. During the run, the Red Raiders connected on seven field goals in a row while Oklahoma State missed 11 of 12 in that same span.
Pop Isaacs scored 24 points despite missing his first five floor shots, emblematic of the Red Raiders' sputtering start. He caught fire after connecting on Texas Tech's first 3-pointer of the game at the 6:40 juncture of the first half, which gave the Red Raiders their first lead, 24-22.
Sparked by that charge, Texas Tech took a 40-31 lead into halftime and didn't cool off after that.
Warren Washington and Kerwin Walton scored 16 points apiece, Darrion Williams had 14 points and nine rebounds and Joe Toussaint contributed 13 points for Texas Tech.
Bryce Thompson led Oklahoma State with 17 points, while Javon Small contributed 15 and John-Michael Wright had 14. A glaring problem for the Cowboys was perimeter shooting: They ended the game 9-of-25 from beyond the arc.
Isaacs hung up six points in the initial seven minutes after halftime to help his team extend the lead to 52-38. Texas Tech knocked down 10 of its first 14 floors shots after halftime and wound up shooting 61.8 percent (21 of 34) over the final 20 minutes.
The Cowboys didn't have an answer to the first-half run or the Red Raiders' second-half efficiency and never got close than 13 points in the final 12 1/2 minutes.
The Red Raiders turned the ball over only four times all night.
—Field Level Media