Texas Tech basketball: Hidden moments in Tech’s loss to Kansas

Tech can’t score on a fast break

With just over 14 minutes left in the second half, the Red Raiders had rattled off 12 unanswered points to take a 38-34 lead.  But that run could have been even greater had the Red Raiders converted on a fast-break opportunity.  Instead, they couldn’t and it would have a huge bearing on the game.

The break started when Nimari Burnett stepped in front of a lazy pass from KU’s Christian Braun.  That started a three-on-two fast break with  Burnett, Mac McClung, and Micah Peavy.

But as he is known to do, KU’s defensive ace Marcus Garrett made a play as he knocked the ball from Peavy’s hands as he was about to make a layup.  In the ensuing scramble, Tech’s Jamarius Burton would come up with the ball and draw a foul that would send him to the line for a pair of free throws.

However, as was on-brand for the Red Raiders in this game, Burton would brick both opportunities and Tech would come up empty on a possession that started with a great opportunity for points.  Unfortunately, the damage wasn’t done.

On the other end of the court, KU would hit a wide-open 3-pointer to end the Red Raider run and cut the Tech lead to one point.  It would prove to be a five-point swing and in a game that was decided by just one point, that was a massive moment in the game.