No. 25 Texas Tech rallies to defeat No. 20 BYU

Field Level Media|published: Sat 20th January, 20:44 2024

Texas Tech's forward Warren Washington (22) attempts to grab a loose ball against BYU in a Big 12 basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at United Supermarkets Arena. credits: Annie Rice/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Headed toward another humbling loss, No. 25 Texas Tech was at a crossroads Saturday at home against No, 20 BYU.

The Red Raiders found the right path and stayed in the first-place mix in the best league in the country as a result.

Pop Isaacs erupted in the second half on the way to a career-best 32 points to help spark Texas Tech's back-from-dead rally in an 85-78 victory in Lubbock, Texas. The Red Raiders (15-3, 4-1 Big 12) trailed 48-32 at halftime after a 23-point loss at Houston earlier in the week but didn't wave a white flag.

Aided by BYU's second-half shooting struggles (13 of 37 overall; 3 of 19 from 3-point range), Texas Tech clawed back with pressure defense that generated 17 points off turnovers after halftime.

Aly Khalifa led BYU with 21 points and Richie Saunders accounted for 16, but the latter had only three after halftime. Warren Washington scored 19 and grabbed nine rebounds for Texas Tech.

The Cougars (14-4, 2-3) built their biggest lead on the road against a ranked foe in 25 years by hitting 10-of-20 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes. But they missed their first eight field goals in the second half, five from beyond the arc, until Dallin Hall hit a 3-pointer to extend the lead back to 51-41. Isaacs answered with one of his six 3-pointers (five in the second half) on the ensuing possession and that kickstarted a rally.

Moments later when the Red Raiders converted back-to-back BYU turnovers into points, they pulled even and then took the lead on Washington's jump hook with 7:33 to go.

The Cougars scored the next two baskets to go back in front, but Isaacs buried another trey to put Texas Tech up for good with 5:33 on the clock.

BYU led by as much as 35-18 in the first half before a 12-4 Red Raiders' burst closed the gap to 39-30. The Cougars answered with 3-pointers from Saunders and Hall to go take what seemed like a safe halftime advantage.

With the win, the Red Raiders are off to their best start since 2001-02 when they were also 15-3 under legendary coach Bobby Knight.

—Field Level Media

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