Inside the box score of Texas Tech basketball's pivotal win at No. 11 Oklahoma

Texas Tech is nails at the line while Oklahoma struggles

In a game that saw the top two free-throw shooting teams in the Big 12 square off, the points that come one at a time proved to be massive. Tech was able to hold a significant edge in that category despite playing on the road and despite some uneven officiating at times.

In the first half, Tech was called four five fouls before OU was ever whistled for one. In the second half, OU once had been called for only three fouls to eight on Tech at one point. Yet, the Red Raiders managed to make more free-throws than the Sooners did. Much of that was because Oklahoma decided to intentionally foul the Red Raiders on four occasions in the final minute of play as they attempted to extend the game.

Overall, Tech would end the day 16-19 (84.2%) at the stripe. That included a 9-10 effort from Pop Isaacs.

Meanwhile, the Sooners actually had 24 free-throw opportunities. However, making only 15, they shot just 62.5%. Had they shot the ball as well in that regard as they normally do, they likely would have been able to protect their home court.

Instead, Tech was able to make the most of its free-throw chances, especially to close out the game. Going 7-8 in the final minute, Tech managed to keep the Sooners from being able to come back. Meanwhile, the home team has to be kicking itself for leaving nine points off the board because of its inability to convert at the line.