Known for its defensive prowess, host Texas Tech showed some marksmanship as well, hitting 12 3-pointers as the No. 15 Red Raiders overwhelmed the undermanned Baylor Bears 86-61 in their Big 12 rematch Saturday in Lubbock, Texas.
Jarrett Culver shot only 4 of 11 from the floor but hit three 3-pointers, all in the final 4:11 of the first half, on his way to a game-high 18 points, and Davide Moretti hit 4 of 8 treys in scoring 17 points as the Red Raiders (21-5, 9-4 Big 12) pulled away from the Bears (16-9, 7-5) before the break.
Jared Butler scored 16 points, including going 4 of 5 on 3-pointers, to lead Baylor, which scored a home win over Texas Tech 73-62 on Jan. 19 in Waco, Texas. Mario Kegler added 15 points, including 3 of 6 from long range.
The Bears were without leading scorer Makai Mason (15.6 points per game) for the second time in three games because of a toe injury, and fellow guard King McClure (9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds) for the third straight game with a knee injury.
The Bears kept it close for about eight-plus minutes, hitting half of their first 10 shots, including 4 of 6 from long range, and trailed only 18-15 after a trey from Butler.
The Red Raiders then went on a 10-0 run to expand the lead to 28-15. Matt Mooney scored seven points on a 3-pointer and four free throws, and Culver added three free throws.
Devonte Bandoo ended the Bears' drought with a 3-pointer, and Butler also hit from long range to cut the deficit to 28-21.
But Texas Tech scored the next seven points, and the lead stayed in double digits the rest of the half, with the Red Raiders leading 45-32 at the break.
Baylor finished the first half shooting just 34.6 percent from the field, and clung to life only by making 7 of 13 from behind the arc. The Bears shot 34.7 percent for the game, and 9 of 25 on 3-pointers.
In the half, the Bears turned the ball over nine times compared with only four for the Red Raiders, who shot only 38.5 percent from the floor but hit 8 of 14 3-pointers. Texas Tech finished the day at 40.7 percent from the floor and 12 of 29 from long range.
Texas Tech also went 17 of 19 from the free throw line in the first half, as foul troubles mounted for the Bears. The Red Raiders hit 30 of 35 from the line for the game, to 18 of 28 for the Bears.
Moretti scored eight points as the Red Raiders began the half with an 11-2 run, pushing their lead to 56-34.
--Field Level Media
Baylor | Texas Tech | |
Jared Butler 16 | Scoring | Jarrett Culver 18 |
Jared Butler 4 | Assists | Jarrett Culver 4 |
Devonte Bandoo 6 | Rebounds | Jarrett Culver 8 |
Mario Kegler 4 | Free Throws Made | Jarrett Culver 7 |
Darius Allen 1 | Steals | Brandone Francis 2 |
Freddie Gillespie 1 | Blocks | Tariq Owens 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Baylor | 61 | 34.7 | 9-25 | 18-28 | 6 | 30 | 3 | 4 | 19 |
Texas Tech | 86 | 40.7 | 12-29 | 30-35 | 12 | 28 | 5 | 7 | 9 |