Game Links:
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: How about a double-double from Warren Washington, 18 points to lead all scorers, 8 of 10 from the field, 12 boards, 7 of them offensive, a block, an assist, and 3 turnovers.
The Motion:
- What a weird fun game. Or a game that ended up being closer than it should have been. Oral Roberts went on a tear at the end and the Texas Tech offense pretty well went silent for the last few minutes.
- Oral Roberts shot better, but really it was Thompson and Bedford that shot ORU back into the game, so the defensive numbers won’t look great. ORU shot 44% from the 3-point line and 45% overall, however, Texas Tech out-rebounded ORU by 19, had 25 2nd chance points (compared to 9 for ORU), and 32 points in the paint (compared to 16 for ORU). So despite maybe struggling on defense, Texas Tech got a win and I’d also say that Oral Roberts, particularly Thompson and Bedford, they just shot the ball really well.
- Kerwin Walton looks great. He scored 17 on 5 of 8 from the floor, including 4 of 7 from deep, 4 boards, 3 assists, and no turnovers. Something has clicked with him, he’s playing great defensively, is incredibly efficient offensively, and thank goodness he’s here and can start.
- Texas Tech scored 1.3 points per possession, compared to just 1.2 for ORU.
- Darrion Williams is a force. I am trying to think about the last time that Texas Tech had a player that could back down opponents like he does and score in the paint. That’s sort of a lost art. Williams was the 3rd player to score in double-figures, 15 points on 4 of 12 with 10 boards.
- Pop Isaacs is still struggling to find his shot, just 2 of 12 and 1 of 7 from deep, but he is passing the ball, 5 assists. I keep thinking that it’s going to drop for him eventually.
- Another low turnover game, just 8 on the day and this team really has taken a turn for the better.
- Robert Jennings gave some really great minutes off the bench. Scoring is also still a struggle with him, only 2 of 9 from the field, but he was pretty relentless on the boards, 8 total and 7 of them were offensive.
- Head coach Grant McCasland: “This team continues to grow. I think we’re getting better. We obviously took a step back guarding the three-point line tonight, but in other areas, I thought we did better. I mean, we didn’t turn the ball over much till the very end when we started getting pressured. We didn’t close the game very well. But I was thrilled with our physicality and that’s a good team, it’s a team that knows how to win and they can put you in some bad spots. So, give them credit for really playing well offensively.”
- Up next? On Saturday December 16th, the same day as Texas Tech’s bowl game, Texas Tech will bein Ft. Worth to take on Vanderbilt at Dickies Arena and tip-off at 6:30 p.m.
Highlights