Folks, Texas Tech just went into Ames, Iowa and handed the Iowa State Cyclones their first home loss of the season. Iowa State, prior to today, was 15-0 in Hilton Coliseum. Now the Cyclones are 15-1. And the Red Raiders really looked impressive in the process.
No. 16 Texas Tech just beat No. 4 Iowa State 82-73 and the Red Raiders were able to build upon their winning streak even though JT Toppin has been sidelined. Texas Tech is now tied for second in the Big 12 with the Houston Cougars as the Red Raiders are now 22-7 overall and 12-4 in Big 12 play.
One of the biggest reasons the Red Raiders were able to go out and get such an impressive win is because Texas Tech managed to shoot 62 percent from the field in the first half and then hit on 44 percent of their three point attempts as well. By the time we got to halftime, Texas Tech was up 45-29. This game wasn’t close early on.
No. 16 Texas Tech goes into Ames, Iowa and gives No. 4 Iowa State its first home loss of the season
In the second half, Iowa State tried to cut back into it and was able to turn that 16-point halftime deficit to just six points with less than a minute left. But the Red Raiders were able to survive Iowa State’s second half surge and secured the win.
This win is huge for so many reasons. The Red Raiders have proved that they can beat elite teams without the help of JT Toppin, who was the driving force in so many of Texas Tech’s wins this season. Now, heading into March, it looks like the Red Raiders are positioned well to make a run, even without their leading scorer and rebounder.
Texas Tech has now beaten the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats, the No. 3 Duke Blue Devils, the No. 6 Houston Cougars, and the No. 4 Iowa State Cyclones. Texas Tech, with Grant McCasland leading the Red Raiders, is in a great spot as a program.