Texas Tech basketball: The 5 defining games of Ronald Ross’ career

Career-high propels Tech to Big 12 Tournament Title Game

Ronald Ross has been around for quite a few Texas Tech basketball firsts.  He was a member of the first Texas Tech team in the Big 12 era to reach the Sweet 16 and he was on the coaching staff as the Red Raiders played in their first National Title Game in 2019.

What’s more, back in 2005, his career-high 28 points helped push Tech to its first (and so far only) Big 12 Tournament Championship Game.

Facing No. 17 Oklahoma in the tournament semifinals, Ross again carried his team on his back.  Shooting 9-18 from the field, he was one of only two Red Raiders with more than 8 points.  In fact, in the 69-63 win, Ross and Jackson combined for 50 of Tech’s points.

As the No. 4 seed in the event, Tech held as much of an 11-point lead over the No. 1 seeded Sooners.  And much of that was thanks to Ross’ work at the foul line.

On the afternoon, Tech was 23-27 from the line.  Ross was 10-11 himself as his team had a 13-point edge from the stripe.

Additionally, the 6-foot-2 guard was a difference-maker on the boards with six rebounds, second-most on the team.  He also had three steals and an assist while turning the ball over just twice despite playing all 40 minutes of the game.

Tech would drop the Big 12 Title game in a heartbreaker to No. 11 Oklahoma State one day later.  But Ross’ heroics in the semifinals have to go down as one of the best Red Raider showings ever in the Big 12 Tournament.