Texas Tech will look for its fourth straight win and a push that could move the team back to the Top 25 when the Red Raiders host Oklahoma State on Sunday afternoon in a Big 12 Conference clash in Lubbock, Texas.
The Red Raiders (14-4, 5-2) have been at their best as they have gotten healthier over the past three games — all wins including, most recently, an 81-71 decision at Cincinnati on Tuesday. JT Toppin scored a game-high 20 points and Christian Anderson added 18, Chance McMillian chipped in 17 and Kevin Overton had 14 for Texas Tech, which pulled away with a late 7-0 run.
Texas Tech’s lone loss in its past six games was at home to then-No. 3 Iowa State 85-84 in overtime on Jan. 11. A key to the Red Raiders’ recent surge has been their depth, which was developed through the nonconference part of their schedule.
“It’s helped tremendously,” McMillian said. “Nonconference, people showed that they can play, and now that trust is built with coach. Now it’s just clicking.”
Toppin leads the Red Raiders in Big 12 play with a 15.1 points per game average. Texas Tech has five players averaging double-figure scoring in league play.
“When we are playing competitively, getting after it and scrapping, we have one of the best offensive teams in the country,” Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland said. “What we weren’t was an elite defensive team. This team is starting to scratch the surface in being better in those areas.”
The Cowboys (10-8, 2-5) head to the South Plains after a 92-78 loss at home to Arizona on Tuesday. Marchelus Avery had a career-best five 3-pointers in the loss as part of his 21 points while Bryce Thompson also scored 21 or Oklahoma State, which has dropped three of its past four games.
Abou Ousmane and Brandon Newman added 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the Cowboys, who trailed by four points and halftime and by as many as 20 in the final minutes.
“If you score 78 points in the Big 12, you should have a chance to win every game,” Oklahoma State coach Steve Lutz said. “You’ve gotta find it deep inside yourself to fight for 40 minutes if you wanna win. And if you don’t, then we’ll continue to have the same results, but I’m not gonna allow for it, I can promise you that.”
Ousmane is the Cowboys’ top scorer (12.8 ppg), rebounder (5.8 rpg) and shot blocker (15 total).
Texas Tech swept last year’s two games, but the Cowboys have captured six of the past nine and lead 50-26 in the all-time series.
–Field Level Media
