No. 15 Texas Tech men’s basketball opened Big 12 conference play Saturday with an offensive showcase, defeating Oklahoma State University 102-80 in the United Supermarkets Arena.
The Red Raiders outscored the Cowboys 56-42 in the second half of play, earning a game-high 22-point margin at the final buzzer. Overall, Tech went 17-for-37 from the three-point line, tying the school record for three-pointers in a game, according to Tech Athletics.
The three-point record was set this season on Nov. 4 against Lindenwood University, according to Tech Athletics. Last season, Tech tied its previous record of 16 three-pointers against the Cowboys in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Tech’s second-half scoring frenzy was led by junior forward JT Toppin. The Dallas native recorded 19 second-half points and seven rebounds in addition to his team-high 23 total points and 14 rebounds. Toppin’s performance marks his eighth double-double of the season, according to Tech Athletics.
Including Toppin, the Red Raiders had five players earn more than 10 points in the contest, fueling their highest overall scoring game of the season. One of those five players was sophomore guard Christian Anderson, who recorded 19 points and a career-high 13 assists, according to Tech Athletics.
However, the Cowboys’ offensive play caused Tech to struggle, specifically in the first half.
Tech head coach Grant McCasland said prior to the matchup, the Cowboys’ fast pace of play would be a point of concern for the Red Raiders defensively. McCasland’s concerns showed up on various possessions throughout the game.
The Cowboys were down by 16 points in the first half at the 6:23 mark. On the following possessions, Oklahoma State clawed back into contention with efficient offensive drives to the basket, ending the first half down 46-38.
Oklahoma State’s leading scorer, senior guard Anthony Roy, finished the contest with a team-high 22 points, eight rebounds and was 7-for-10 from field goal range. Despite his offensive productive game, Roy was visibly upset during the game with his lack of touches.
Despite the Cowboys’ comeback attempt to end the first half, the Red Raiders didn’t waver. A large part of Tech’s margin of victory stemmed from its production from inside the paint.
Tech outrebounded the Cowboys 48-36, including 14 offensive rebounds. Those offensive rebounds allowed the Red Raiders to produce 18 second-chance points.
Nonetheless, from the inside the paint both teams scored similar point totals, with Tech edging out the Cowboys 38-36. Oklahoma State saw a large amount of production from senior forward Parsa Fallah, who totaled 20 points and five rebounds.
Before Saturday, the Cowboys had only lost to the University of Oklahoma this season and outscored opponents by an average of 14.75 points. The Red Raiders handed Oklahoma State its largest loss of the season so far.
The Red Raiders’ next matchup will come against the No. 8 University of Houston at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Fertitta Center in Houston.