T.J. Holyfield scored 20 points to lead No. 13 Texas Tech to a 79-44 victory over cold-shooting Bethune-Cookman in a non-conference game Saturday night in Lubbock, Texas.
The Red Raiders (2-0) won their 49th straight home game against non-conference opponents.
Holyfield was the only Texas Tech player in double figures until 10:38 remained in the game. That's when Davide Moretti made a 3-pointer to give him 11 points and put Texas Tech ahead 55-31.
A graduate transfer from Stephen F. Austin, Holyfield made 8 of 11 shots and added six rebounds. Moretti finished with 13 points and five assists and Jahmi'us Ramsey had 13 points and nine rebounds.
Bethune-Cookman (1-1) was led by Malik Maitland's 13 points. Isaiah Bailey added 11 points for the Wildcats, who shot 29.8 percent from the field, including 3 of 17 from 3-point range.
Texas Tech, which never trailed after scoring the first seven points of the game, outscored Bethune-Cookman 23-6 to close out the first half and pull away to a 40-19 lead.
The Red Raiders forced Bethune-Cookman into 12 turnovers in the first half that led to 13 points. The Wildcats finished with 21 turnovers, allowing Texas Tech to compile an 18-11 advantage in points off turnovers. The Red Raiders also won the rebounding battle 44-31.
Texas Tech's starters took all but two of the team's shots in the decisive first half. Holyfield, Edwards and Moretti combined to outscore Bethune-Cookman at halftime with 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field. The Wildcats as a team made 9 of 25 shots from the field in the first half, including 1 of 9 from 3-point range.
The Red Raiders started the second half slow, not making their first field goal until 15:55 remained in regulation on Terrence Shannon Jr.'s layup that gave Texas Tech a 44-27 lead.
The Red Raiders had more turnovers (six) than field goals made (one) in the second half before they went on a 14-1 run to turn the game into a 60-32 rout. Their second half totals were 13 field goals made and nine turnovers.
--Field Level Media
Bethune-Cookman | Texas Tech | |
Malik Maitland 13 | Scoring | TJ Holyfield 20 |
Isaiah Bailey 1 | Assists | Kyler Edwards 5 |
Cletrell Pope 8 | Rebounds | Jahmi'us Ramsey 9 |
Isaiah Bailey 4 | Free Throws Made | TJ Holyfield 4 |
Wali Parks 2 | Steals | Kyler Edwards 2 |
Wali Parks 2 | Blocks | Kyler Edwards 1 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Bethune-Cookman | 44 | 29.8 | 3-17 | 7-10 | 4 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 21 |
Texas Tech | 79 | 47.5 | 7-19 | 16-22 | 22 | 39 | 4 | 9 | 15 |