 "Photo: File photo")
Jan. 1, Lubbock Tech 69 Stephen F. Austin 55
In order to help his team hit layups, Texas Tech coach Pat Knight pulled a young teen from the crowd into the huddle to tell his players even he could hit the close ups. The move worked, helping Tech shoot better the rest of the way. Tech had some offensive struggles in the first half, shooting 32 percent from the field. Fortunately for Tech, the Lumberjacks shooting was worse as they only hit 26 percent of their attempts all game. Tech finished with a solid seven blocks and four players in double-digit scoring as Alan Voskuil and Darko Cohadarevic led the way with 12 points each. Most importantly, Tech got back to playing the kind of hard-nosed defense Tech coach Pat Knight has wanted.
Dec. 29, Stanford, Calif. Stanford 111 Tech 66
While last year's game against Stanford was 62-61 nail biter, this year's contest was much less exciting. Stanford kept its unbeaten record intact by handing Tech its second-worst defeat in school history and its third road loss of the season. The loss gave Pat Knight the three-worst losses in program history with the other two coming last season against Kansas and Texas A&M. Stanford's Anthony Goods scored a game-high 21 points to lead four players in double figures. Not even five minutes into the game, Stanford built a 20-6 lead and Tech never stood a chance. Mike Singletary led Tech with 13 points and D'walyn Roberts added 11 while leading scorer John Roberson was held to six points after averaging 16.3 per game. Tech guard Nick Okorie returned to action after missing three weeks with a sprained ankle. In 19 minutes, Okorie had four fouls and two points on 1-of-6 shooting. Dec. 24, Lubbock Tech 67 Centenary 53
Tech wasted no time avenging last year's shocking 70-66 loss at Centenary by jumping out to an 18-2 lead en route to a 35-14 halftime advantage. Freshman Robert Lewandowski led Tech with 13 points and five blocks while Roberson chipped in 12 points. Although Tech forced 17 turnovers, it committed 16 with an equal amount of assists, letting the Gents make the score more respectable. Tech was able to overcome its poor shooting from 3-point range (27 percent), with nine blocks and controlling the boards. After the game, Knight was in a festive mood, attending the press conference dressed as Santa Clause.
Dec. 20, Lubbock Tech 86 New Mexico 78
Following back-to-back losses, Tech had five players score in double figures and Alan Voskuil tied a season high 28-points by knocking down 6-of-9 from 3-point range. In his two previous games, Voskuil had missed 18 of his 25 shots from beyond the arc, so it was comforting for Knight to see him find his shooting touch. Tech led 76-72 with 2:14 remaining in the game but a layup from Roberson, a pair of free throws from Voskuil and a bucket from Lewandowski put the win out of reach for the Lobos.
Dec. 17, El Paso UTEP 96 Tech 78
A career-high 33 points from John Roberson was made moot by UTEP, who went on a 26-10 run in the second half to close out the game. The Miners had 21 points off Tech's 18 turnovers and UTEP's Stefon Jackson, Randy Culpepper and Arnett Moultrie combined for 70 of their team's 96 points. The loss of Okorie and Michael Prince obviously created a void in Tech's rotation, causing fatigue to settle in earlier than it had all season. Prince injured his foot in a 72-69 win against Wichita State and Okorie sprained his ankle the day after the same game. Tech's inconsistency on defense and tendency to turn the ball over during crucial moments kept the Red Raiders from whittling a 9-point lead early in the second half.
Dec. 13, Beaumont Lamar 85 Tech 79
In their first game in 10 days, the Red Raiders did not play like a team that had won seven of its first eight games. Trailing 34-32 at halftime, Tech came out flat in the second half, shooting 39 percent while Lamar hit 68 percent of it's shots. However, the Red Raiders nearly overcame their struggles with a last minute comeback. Voskuil nailed a 3-pointer with 36 seconds left to pull the score to 78-77, but the Cardinals made their first free throw attempt after an intentional foul and grabbed the offensive rebound after they missed the second one. Lamar tacked on two more free throws to end Tech's comeback bid.
Be the first to comment on this article!