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Balanced attack gives Texas Tech basketball key win over No. 20 Texas: 3 takeaways
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- Balanced attack gives Texas Tech basketball key win over No. 20 Texas: 3 takeaways
AUSTIN — The Texas Tech basketball team went into the Moody Center on Saturday night and walked away and an emphatic 78-67 win over the 20th-ranked Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 opener for both teams.
The Red Raiders (12-2, 1-0) used a big run in the middle of the first half, powered by Joe Toussaint, to flip the game on its head. Texas (11-3, 0-1) attempted to find a rhythm in front of its home crowd, but the Red Raiders were ready every step of the way.
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Balance the key to Texas Tech's offense
When the Texas Tech offense struggled to get going, it was Toussaint that powered the engine. During Tech's game-flipping 13-2 run, Toussaint had 11 points in the frame. After that, Texas tried to shut down the shifty guard.
That was fine for the Red Raiders, who have been going with a by-committee approach throughout the season.
At the final media timeout of regulation, three Red Raiders had at least 14 points with Toussaint and Isaacs each having 15. Warren Washington was at 14 with Tech holding a 69-63 lead and 3:13 on the clock.
It was cascading balance after that with Chance McMillian's nine points, Darrion Williams' seven, Robert Jennings' five and Lamar Washington's four.
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Robert Jennings provides quality bench minutes
Going against the bigger tandem of Kadin Shedrick and Dylan Disu, Texas Tech needed to get quality minutes out of Robert Jennings to take some of the pressure, and minutes, off of Warren Washington.
Jennings provided that boost in the first half. His stats will rarely jump out, but Jennings served as a boost for Tech in the eight minutes he was on the floor. He was a linchpin during the Red Raiders' 13-2 run that swung momentum of the game. This included an emphatic block on a dunk attempt from Tyrese Hunter.
Red Raiders find a way to get the crucial win in Big 12 opener
The last three conference openers haven't been too kind to the Red Raiders. Venturing into enemy territory for the last time as conference foes, it could've easily been a fourth.
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Instead, Texas Tech got its first signature win of the season, an important one that should elevate the team's postseason prospects. Winning away from home is a big part of a successful team, which the Red Raiders hope to be. This was as good a start as any.
What's next?
The Red Raiders return home for a pair of crucial conference games, starting with a visit from Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tech will then host Kansas State on Saturday for a 3 p.m. matinee.
Isaacs update
Tech coach Grant McCasland was asked postgame about the allegations made in the civil lawsuit filed Friday against Isaacs, who had a game-high 21 points in the win.
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McCasland stuck by the school's statement , released Friday night, which said, in part, that Isaacs "remains in good standing" with the school and "there is no reason to withhold him from University activities, including basketball competition."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Balanced attack gives Texas Tech basketball key win over No. 20 Texas
