The No. 9 Texas Tech men’s basketball team defeated Oklahoma 66-42 to grab its fourth straight victory.
After taking a tough loss in Norman earlier this season, Tech exacted its revenge by out scoring the Sooners 37-20 in the second half en route to a dominating victory.
Tech forward Bryson Williams eclipsed 2,000 career points with another double-digit scoring performance. Guard Davion Warren put up a game-high 16 points after scoring just five total points in the last two games.
With the victory, Tech improved to 22-6 and 11-4 in Big 12. The Sooners dropped to 14-14 and 4-11 in Big 12 play.
First Half
The Red Raider defense was on full display, forcing turnovers on its first two defensive possessions. A few minutes later, Bryson Williams made a three to give the Red Raiders an early 5-2 lead.
Later in the half, Bryson Williams drove the lane and finished an easy layup. The basket marked 2,000 career points for Williams, who has been Tech’s leading scorer throughout the season.
Tech protected a slim 14-12 lead midway through the first half. Tech forward Marcus Santos-Silva extended the Red Raider lead to four after scoring a tough bucket in the paint.
A few possessions later, Tech guard Adonis Arms baited some Sooner defenders with a pump fake before finishing an easy layup. The score gave Tech an 18-12 lead.
With six minutes to go in the first, Tech guard Terrence Shannon Jr. drained a corner three to give the Red Raiders a 23-14 edge.
With under five minutes left in the first half, Oklahoma started making a push. Sooner guard Umoja Gibson splashed home a three to cut Tech’s lead to 23-19.
In the final two minutes, Tech protected a six-point lead. Davion Warren extended the lead after hitting a mid-range jumper that rejuvenated the home crowd.
Tech would head to the halftime locker room holding a 29-22 lead over the Sooners.
Second Half
Tech started the second half on fire. Bryson Williams, Adonis Arms, and forward Kevin Obanor each hit shots to help extend Tech’s lead to 35-22, the largest lead of the game up to that point.
A few possessions later, Davion Warren added to the Red Raider run by grabbing a steal and throwing down a fast break dunk on the other end.
At the 15 minute mark, Sooner guard Marvin Johnson put an end to Tech’s 10-0 run by making a three. The basket marked Oklahoma’s first score of the second half.
The Red Raiders kept their foot on the gas midway through the second half. Davion Warren and Adonis Arms hit threes on back-to-back possessions. The burst gave Tech a commanding 50-29 lead.
The ball continued to bounce in Tech’s favor. At the nine minute mark, Terrence Shannon Jr. hit a three that bounced around the rim before dropping in. A few minutes later, Tech got a steal that led to a thunderous slam by Marcus Santos-Silva. The score extended the Red Raider lead to 58-29.
At around the seven minute mark, Tech guard Mylik Wilson took a feed from guard Clarence Nadolny and finished a monstrous dunk. Shortly after, Red Raider forward KJ Allen nearly broke the rim on a transition dunk.
Up 63-39 with under three minutes to play, the Red Raiders ran the clock down until the final buzzer sounded.
Tech secured its fourth straight win by a final score of 66-42.
Postgame Comments
Red Raider guard Adonis Arms said the team took this game personally.
“We went to their place and they killed us, really, so we got to defend home court,” Arms said. “They’re not about to come here and do that to us, so we took it personally.”
Red Raider head coach Mark Adams said the main difference between this game and the last matchup against Oklahoma was the team’s effort.
“Without a doubt, effort, that’s usually what it comes down to and our guys played so much harder,” Adams said. “I kept reminding them [Tech players] that this team got you pretty good last time we played and our guys did a great job responding.
Notable Statistics
- Sooner guard Umoja Gibson was held to just five points after scoring 30 points the last time the two teams met.
- Bryson Williams notched his fourth straight double-digit scoring output on his way to breaking 2,000 career points.
- For the first time in team history, Tech has won 17 home games.
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