Texas Tech defeats Northern Kentucky

The Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the Northern Kentucky Norse 72-57 inside the BOK center from Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the first half, both teams came out a little flat as for Tech they shot 1-8 from the free-throw line and turned the ball over seven times.  

As for the Norse, the best Horizon league three-point shooting team, were held the to 2-11 from 3. Fortunately for Tech, Sophomore Guard Jarrett Culver provided a much-needed spark for the Red Raiders by scoring 12 of Tech’s 30 points in the first half.  

At the break Tech was up 30-26. 

Coming out of half-time the Red Raiders found their identity as team with their stingy defense as the Norse shot a poor 22.7 percent from 3 and 37.5 percent from the field.  

A main catalyst of the great defense was Senior grand-transfer Tariq Owens who blocked five shots which set a Tech record for the most blocks in a single tournament game.  

The forward also added 12 points and 3 rebounds, along with another Senior grad transfer Matt Mooney who contributed to the defensive charge as he had 5 steals and chipped in 9 points and 8 assists. 

Tech was also able to shut down Horizon Player of the Year, Drew McDonald, to only 5 points.  

“I mean he’s a great player. We watched a lot of film on him,” Jarret Culver said, “tried to keep him from being I the lane a lot tonight. We focus on defense and we focus on personnel a lot, so I just felt like we did a great job on there tonight.”  

In the 2^nd half, the pace of play picked up and Tech was able score 16 points off of turnovers.  

Eventually Tech extended its lead to as high as 20 points and pulled away from Norse.  

Culver finished the game with 29 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.  

“I don’t know what else to say. He’s a tough matchup. Head Coach John Brannen said. He can put the ball on the floor and score. We wanted to make him a passer. Wanted him to have a high assist night. He had 7 assists. We didn’t think that’s what he did well” Going forward Texas Tech will face the Buffalo Bulls or the Arizona State Sun Devils on Sunday Inside the BOK center.