Texas Tech explodes early, makes quick work of Lamar

Texas Tech blew open a close game Saturday with an extended run early in the first half and never looked back, walloping visiting Lamar 101-57 in the nonconference matchup in Lubbock, Texas.

With the score knotted 7-7 after Lamar's Ja'Sean Jackson nailed a 3-pointer at the 16:54 mark of the first half, Texas Tech (9-2) ran away from the Cardinals (6-6) with a 21-2 surge over 7:35.

Kevin Overton and Darrion Williams were major keys during the Red Raiders' run, combining for 11 points. Each of them scored 13 in the first half, which ended with Texas Tech ahead 49-22 on their way to their highest team point total since December 2022.

In eight home nonconference games this season, Texas Tech is unbeaten and has outscored foes by an average of 31.8 points.

Lamar's five-game winning streak ended in large part because of poor shooting. The Cardinals hit three of their first five shots but then went 1 of 11 and ended the day shooting 32.9 percent (23 of 70). They made only 29.4 percent in the first half, when they had nearly as many turnovers (9) as field goals (10).

Texas Tech got a hot hand during the run, connecting on 7-of-12 from the floor, and never cooled off much. Buoyed by Williams (7-of-13), Overton (6-of-11) and Chance McMillian (7-of-11), the Red Raiders finished the day hitting 55.4 percent (36 of 65) from the floor and went 13 of 29 from long range. Texas Tech also dominated in paint points 40-24.

Williams led the Red Raiders with 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Christian Anderson came off the bench to provide a season-best 20 points, McMillian scored 19 and Overton finished with 17.

Alexis Marmolejos paced Lamar with 11 points and Jackson added 10. The Cardinals collected 36 rebounds, 18 on each end of the court, and turned their offensive work into 21 second-chance points. Lamar's Andrew Holifield pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.

--Field Level Media