No one needed to tell Pop Isaacs that this was a must-win game Saturday at United Supermarket Arena.
Playing another ranked opponent in front of a sold-out crowd of 15,098 fans, the Texas Tech basketball team didn't want to be overtaken by No. 5 Houston in a clunker against No. 20 BYU on Wednesday.
The Red Raiders had a better first half of basketball than they did in the first session against BYU. Grant McCasland likened Tech's 48-32 halftime deficit to his team's awkward first half against Northern Iowa in the Bahamas in Battle 4 Atlantis.
After falling behind by 15 points in that game, Texas Tech came back to win. Adding two more points against BYU was a new challenge, but Isaacs was ready.
About the game:Pop Isaacs ignites comeback for No. 25 Texas Tech basketball against No. 20 BYU: 3 takeaways
“I just didn’t want to lose,” Isaacs said. “That was the biggest thing for me. Whatever it takes to win, that's what I was going to do.”
McCasland said earlier this year that Isaacs can sometimes get too excited and try to show off too much when playing in front of his home fans. That wasn't a negative for Isaacs on Saturday.
“I love playing in this gym,” Isaacs said. “It is very fun.”
Isaacs totaled 23 points in the second half alone, going 8-of-11 from the field and 5-of-7 from 3-point range. He also had four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 18 minutes on the floor.
By the end of Tech's 85-78 come-from-behind victory, Isaacs had set career highs in points (32), field goals made (11) and threes made (six).
After his historic day, Isaacs spoke to the media for the first time since he was named in a civil lawsuit accusing him of “sexual abuse of a minor” during the team's trip to the Bahamas. Isaacs said all things considered, the past few weeks have been good for him since the lawsuit became public on Jan. 5.
“My teammates were there for me,” Isaacs said. “They've supported me. I'm enjoying the game of basketball, the game I love. Everything's been pretty good, to be honest.”
It doesn't hurt that he and his teammates have issues to deal with on the court. With the victory over BYU, the Red Raiders (15-3, 4-1) earned their second win over a ranked team this season and are tied with Kansas State, also 4-1, for at least another week. They will be tied for first in the Big 12. In a league match.
Isaacs said he doesn't know if Coach McCasland is paying attention to what's happening in the Big 12 outside of his own team, but his players certainly are.
“We always want to be one step ahead in terms of standings and things like that,” Isaacs said. “You'll get bumps and bruises along the way.”
The prediction holds true:No. 25 Texas Tech Basketball looks to avoid a slide against No. 20 BYU in the city: scouting report, predictions
On Saturday, he was sporting bruises from Wednesday's loss to Houston. Isaacs still had a bandage on his left eye, which was required for the head-to-head matchup with the No. 5 Cougars. Thankfully, there was no bloodshed in Saturday's contest. A big turnaround in the second half saw Isaacs take the lead.
“He did what he had to do,” BYU's Richie Sanders said. “He makes shots. That's what he did.”
Texas Tech has overcome double-digit deficits three times this year, against UNI in November and in each of its last two home games. McCasland probably wants to cut out some of the drama, but he doesn't question the results so far.
“If you want to be the toughest team and you really believe in that, you have 40 minutes,” McCasland said. “It never stops. It doesn't matter what the score is. … I don't really care what the score is. There's a way to play this game. You have to play with that spirit.” The score is always It's not in your favor.
“I’ll tell you, with this team, they believe in it and they really get it.”
