Pop Isaacs' career night lifts Texas Tech over Sam Houston

Field Level Media|published: Thu 28th December, 22:37 2023

Dec 28, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kerwin Walton (24) goes to the basket against the Sam Houston Bearkats in the first half at United Supermarkets Arena. credits: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Pop Isaacs broke out of a season-long slump to score a career-high 28 points to key Texas Tech's 96-60 blowout against visiting Sam Houston State on Thursday.

The Red Raiders logged their fifth win in a row by breaking the game open with an extended run to close the first half.

Isaacs entered the night shooting only 32.5 percent from the floor but was hot from the start.

He connected on 10 of 19 shots, including 5 of 11 from beyond the arc as Texas Tech (10-2) knocked down a season-high 15 treys en route to the lopsided win.

The Red Raiders led just 31-24 with 5:45 left in the first half after Davon Barnes knocked down a jumper for the Bearkats (6-8).

But Texas Tech seized command with a 17-5 run to close the half, Isaacs scoring the last six points on consecutive 3-pointers in the final 37 seconds.

The Red Raiders' shooting was impressive in the first half (15-of-29 overall, 6-of-16 from 3-point territory), but they did a stellar job limiting turnovers. Texas Tech turned the ball over only twice in the initial 20 minutes, while Sam Houston State lost it 11 times (which matched the number of shots the Bearkats made), leading to 14 Red Raider points.

Sam Houston State turned the ball over only four times in the second half but shot just 11 of 34.

Barnes led Sam Houston State with 18 points, but he was the only player who connected on more than three field goals. Marcus Boykin contributed 10 points.

Kerwin Walton supplied 18 points for Texas Tech and made four 3-pointers. Joe Toussaint added 13 points and recorded five of the Red Raiders' 21 assists on 32 made shots.

—Field Level Media