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Joe Toussaint leads Texas Tech basketball to much-needed comeback win over West Virginia
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- Joe Toussaint leads Texas Tech basketball to much-needed comeback win over West Virginia
Joe Toussaint made his return to his previous basketball home and came up with a big game in WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The fifth-year senior guard, who spent last year as a member of the West Virginia Mountaineers, spearheaded the Texas Tech basketball team's offensive attack in what was an 81-70 victory on Saturday.
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Toussaint finished with a game-high 21 points, which tied his career-high, and added seven assists and four steals for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech improved to 20-9 overall and 9-7 in Big 12 play .
ABOUT THE MAN: How Joe Toussaint is unlocking his full potential with Texas Tech basketball
West Virginia jumped out to a 16-point lead midway through the first half and held off Tech's multiple comeback attempts to hang on to a 45-39 advantage at halftime. The Mountaineers converted on 8 of their 13 three-pointers through the first 20 minutes.
The Red Raiders rolled out of the gates and took their first lead of the game early in the second half and eventually went up by 13, a 29-point swing in about 32 minutes of game time. Texas Tech found its offensive rhythm, converting on 13 of their 31 three-point attempts for the game and had 17 assists on their 31 made shots. Meanwhile, WVU was just 1 of 9 on 3s and Tech converted 57% of its shots in the second half.
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Chance McMillian went 5-for-11 from 3, totaling 19 points, six rebounds and four assists for Texas Tech. McMillian had been 4-for-26 from 3 in his previous four games and had his first game with multiple 3s since he went 3-for-6 against Baylor on Feb. 6.
Darrion Williams produced 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Pop Isaacs had five assists and 10 points.
Joe Toussaint of Texas Tech drives against Kerr Kriisa of West Virginia in the first half at the WVU Coliseum on Saturday, March 2, 2024 in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Texas Tech was without bigs Warren Washington and KyeRon Lindsay for the game. Washington remains out with a foot injury while Lindsay did not travel with the team to Morgantown, according to a Tech news release prior to tip.
This was the fourth Big 12 game in which Texas Tech trailed by at least 10 points only to come back and win. It's the second-largest deficit Tech has faced after being down 17 against BYU on Jan. 20. The previous three double-digit comeback wins had come at home.
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The victory ensures Texas Tech at least a single-bye in the Big 12 Tournament, meaning the Red Raiders will be at least the No. 10 seed or better in the tourney. The top four seeds in the tournament receive a double-bye, making their first game on March 14 — the tournament begins March 12.
By reaching the 20-regular season wins and nine-conference win thresholds, the Red Raiders have all but guaranteed their appearance in the NCAA Tournament. No Big 12 team has had at least a .500 record in conference play and missed the NCAA Tournament since 2014.
Texas Tech remains on the road for the final time in the regular season when the Red Raiders visit Oklahoma State on Tuesday. They'll close the regular season March 9 at home against Baylor.
More: Texas Tech basketball has lost its edge. Red Raiders need to find it on final road swing | Giese
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Toussaint leads Texas Tech basketball to comeback win over WVU
