Texas Tech guard Pop Isaacs, 2, cheers on the crowd during the second half of the NCAA college basketball game against Baylor on Saturday, March 9, 2024 in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — After No. 11 Baylor took its only lead after halftime, Pop Isaacs scored 20 points, including the first of four straight 3-pointers for Texas Tech, to lead the Red Raiders. won the final game of the regular season, 78-68. on Saturday night.
The Red Raiders (22-9, 11-7, Big 12) missed their first five threes of the second half, but Isaacs made one with 7:03 left to take a 56-54 lead. Ray J. Dennis then hit a game-tying layup for Baylor, and Tech scored 11 points in a row, with Darrion Williams making the first of three long-range shots in just over a minute. I took the lead.
Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland said: “We had some pretty decent looks, but we were just finally able to open up the game by getting some stops and playing in transition.'' Told. “And that was the thing about our team. When you make threes in transition, it's very difficult to defend. So I was just excited about the way the game ended.”
Like Isaacs, Williams recorded 16 points and 11 rebounds, his ninth double-double of the season, despite playing most of the second half with four fouls. Chance McMillian came off the bench and finished with 11 points.
Jacoby Walter scored 15 points for Baylor (22-9, 11-7), Jaden Nunn added 14 points and Dennis added 12 points.
Both teams are already guaranteed a top-four finish in the Big 12 standings with a double-bye to advance to next week's quarterfinal round of the conference tournament. Baylor will be the No. 3 seed in Kansas City, Missouri, and Texas Tech will be the No. 4 seed.
Walter's 3-pointer with 7:25 left was part of a 16-4 run that gave the Bears a 54-53 lead. But then Texas Tech made six consecutive field goals, including consecutive transition threes from Kerwin Walton.
“We came back and did a great job,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “I really give Texas Tech credit for having some great success.”
Baylor's only lead was 2-0 after Walter made the first shot of the game. The Red Raiders then scored 16 points in a row, including nine points from Isaacs.
big picture
Baylor: The Bears trailed by 16 points with 16 minutes left and were looking for another big comeback. They beat Texas 93-85 on Monday night after falling behind by 14 points, their biggest come-from-behind win of the season. They also erased a 16-point halftime deficit against first-place Houston and lost in overtime.
“If it's flat, the other team is going to run away,” Walter said. “It has happened to us many times, and we have always fought back.”
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders finished McCasland's first season 15-2 at home. At 6-4 against Top 25 teams, only Kansas State has more wins in the Big 12.
love is back
Baylor sophomore guard Langston Love returned after missing four straight games and seven of eight with an ankle injury. He had nine points and five rebounds in 22 minutes of play. Love attempted his first four field goals, but missed the last three.
unexpected board
Texas Tech dominated on the glass, finishing with a 40-29 rebounding advantage. The Bears didn't pick up a single offensive rebound before halftime, but then had seven.
“I really give kudos to Tech for doing a great job blocking out,” Drew said. “I don't know the last time we had zero offensive rebounds in a first half. I mean, I don't know if that's ever happened.”
next
Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. Baylor and Texas Tech will play in Thursday's quarterfinals, with an opponent to be determined.
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