Texas Tech basketball: Senior night provided unforgettable moments
![LUBBOCK, TX - MARCH 04: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders interacts with fans after the game against the Texas Longhorns on March 4, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Texas 70-51. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) LUBBOCK, TX - MARCH 04: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders interacts with fans after the game against the Texas Longhorns on March 4, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Texas 70-51. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a67e36d4b4808111bfc43704c7110685d4fb95d2dccda9edae7a878a4d138325.jpg)
Tariq Owens sets Texas Tech single-season blocks record
The fact that breaking of one of the more prominent single-season records in Texas Tech basketball history was almost an afterthought Monday night, speaks to how special of an evening it was for the Red Raiders. With three blocks against the Longhorns, forward Tariq Owens set a new school record with 72 blocks and counting.
The previous mark of 71 by former Red Raider legend Tony Battie, had stood for 22 years. But with one more regular season game and the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments still to be played, Owens could potentially put this record out of reach for decades to come.
Thus far, Owens is averaging 2.4 blocks per game to lead the Big 12. What’s more, in only 30 games as a Red Raider, he is already fifth all-time in program history in career blocks. The fewest number of games any of the four players ahead of him played at Texas Tech is the 87 Tony Battie played from 1995-97.
Owens has been the backbone of the nation’s best defense this year. He has had twelve games with at least three blocks including a school record eight against Memphis in December.
And offensively, he has become a more consistent offensive weapon in recent weeks. Prior to Monday, the rangy forward had scored in double digits in five-consecutive games and though he was not an offensive force on senior night, he was once again a defensive presence for the Red Raiders as he set a new single-season record for rejections.