Texas Tech Basketball Wrecks No. 4 Baylor, 84-78
By Erik Garza
Texas Tech basketball showed no sign of a hangover from the heartbreaking loss against Kansas, and managed to get a win against Baylor, despite an early barrage and a blown lead.
If anything, the loss against the Jayhawks seemed to motivate the Red Raiders as they jumped on Baylor early. Texas Tech raced out to an 11-0 lead within five minutes of the first half and held the Bears without a field goal until the sixteen minute mark.
Niem Stevenson had the hot-hand for Texas Tech early on; contributing all over the stat sheet and accounting for 21 points on 7 of 15 shooting. Stevenson also hauled in 6 rebounds and managed 5 assists.
Not to be outdone, Keenan Evans poured in 23 points on 5-of-10 shooting and was sublime from the free-throw mark; acing 11 of 14 charity shots.
Texas Tech’s big day on the boards proved too much for the Bears.
Meanwhile, Justin Gray had a tremendous game off the boards; hauling in 10 rebounds, and tallying 13 points on the night.
However, it was Texas Tech’s shooting from the three-point line that may have sealed the deal for the home squad. Texas Tech shot 6 of 15 (40 percent) from downtown, compared to Baylor’s mediocre 7 of 27 threes on the night.
Five Quick Shots from No. 4 Baylor vs. Texas Tech
- Keenan Evans — Texas Tech has been in desperate need of production from its group of upperclassmen. While Aaron Ross is still finding his way out of a funk, Keenan Evans is just hitting his stride. The junior guard has been the workhorse for Texas Tech’s offense late in the season, accounting for 23, 25, and 20 points in his last three appearances.
- Protect This House — Any remaining hope for a Texas Tech NCAA Tournament bid depending greatly on whether or not the Red Raiders would be able to defend their home court. The verdict: the United Supermarkets Arena is once again a place where visiting teams do not want to be. The Red Raiders are 15-2 at home this season, with very winnable games upcoming against Iowa State, and Texas.
- Niem what I’m talkin’ about? — Niem Stevenson is a name to watch for as Texas Tech runs down the final stretch of the season. Stevenson doesn’t garner near the amount of attention as some of his teammates do; however the guy can play. Stevenson has averaged 20-plus points in his last two outings, and has been the epitome of clutch in wins against West Virginia and Baylor.
- From Downtown! — Texas Tech’s three-point shooting has been a Jekyll and Hyde affair for stretches of the 2017 season. However, on Monday night Texas Tech shot 40 percent from long range; this shooting performance helped Texas Tech jump out to their early lead in the first half and also kept them on pace with Baylor throughout the remainder of the game.
- Up Next — Texas Tech will travel to West Virginia as they face the No. 9 Mountaineers in the next iteration of The Battle for John Denver’s Soul. Tip off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, the 18th. Television coverage will be broadcast by the ESPN family of networks.
Texas Tech fans, were you at the game? How do you feel about Texas Tech’s post-season chances now? Let us know by tweeting @WreckEm_Red!