Pop Isaacs scored 20 points and Darrion Williams chipped in 16 points and 11 rebounds to help Texas Tech stun No. 11 Baylor 78-68 on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas, in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Down 54-53 with 7:25 left in the game, the Red Raiders went on a 14-2 run to regain control. They went 7-of-7 from the free-throw line in the final 2:35 to earn their fifth victory over a Top 25 opponent this season.
Isaacs led Texas Tech (22-9, 11-7 Big 12) in scoring despite dealing with foul trouble for most of the second half. Williams helped the Red Raiders outrebound Baylor 40-29.
Ja’Kobe Walter led the Bears (22-9, 11-7) with 15 points and went 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. But Baylor struggled from deep, finishing 5-of-21.
The Red Raiders took advantage of the Bears’ struggles from the floor and built a 40-27 halftime lead. Texas Tech shot 48.4 percent in the first half while Baylor shot 42.7, including hitting only 1 of 8 from beyond the arc. The only problem was foul trouble: Isaacs and Williams each had three by halftime and each picked up a fourth with 13:11 left in the second half.
Baylor seized on Texas Tech’s foul trouble advantage, going on an 18-9 run to trim its deficit to 49-45 with 11:58 left. Walter buried a 3 from the left corner to put the Bears in front 54-53 before the Red Raiders came alive again.
Isaacs put Texas Tech back in front with a 3-pointer 22 seconds after Baylor grabbed the lead. RayJ Dennis answered with a layup to tie the score. But Kerwin Walton buried back-to-back 3-pointers and the Red Raiders never looked back.
The teams tied for third place in the Big 12 and received double byes into the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal round next week in Kansas City.
–Field Level Media