TCU Loses At Texas Tech
Junior forward Aaron Ross scored a career-best 25 points to lead streaking Texas Tech to an 83-79 victory over TCU on Tuesday night in Big 12 play at Lubbock, Texas.
Sophomore forward Zach Smith tallied a career-high 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Red Raiders (18-9, 8-7 Big 12), who won their fifth consecutive game. Senior guard Toddrick Gotcher made four 3-pointers while scoring 16 points as Texas Tech improved to 13-3 at home.
Sophomore guard Chauncey Collins scored a career-high 29 points for the Horned Frogs (11-17, 2-13), who have lost four straight games and six of their last seven. Junior guard Brandon Parrish added 19 points and sophomore guard Malique Trent had 15 as TCU dropped to 1-34 in Big 12 regular-season road games since joining the league in 2012.
The Horned Frogs have dropped nine of 10 road games overall this season, but they were within 80-78 when Collins drained a 3-pointer with 1:07 left. However, Smith scored on a putback with 31.1 seconds to play to make it a two-possession game as the Red Raiders closed it out.
Texas Tech trailed by 12 points early in the second half before
Gotcher hit two 3-pointers during a 12-0 surge to tie the game at 49 with 14:38 to play.
An alley-oop dunk by Smith pushed the Red Raiders ahead at 53-51, and Texas Tech soon scored eight straight points to take a 66-60 advantage with 8:30 to play.
Collins scored consecutive baskets to get TCU within two points but four free throws by Smith and Ross’ tip-in gave Texas Tech a 72-66 edge with 4:37 to go. Trent drained a 3-pointer to make it a two-point margin with 2:54 remaining but the Red Raiders held an 80-75 lead after sophomore guard Keenan Evans drove through the lane for a dunk with 1:20 left.
Earlier, Texas Tech led 23-22 after a 3-pointer by Ross with 8:44 left in the first half before Parrish hit two 3-pointers during a 9-0 burst that gave TCU an eight-point lead. The Horned Frogs increased their lead to 14 in the final minute prior to taking a 47-35 lead into the break.
