Texas Tech Escapes with 78-72 Win Over West Virginia

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In the second matchup between West Virginia and Texas Tech this season, TTU escaped with a 78-72 win in the closing minutes. West Virginia failed to convert down the stretch.

With the result, West Virginia (15-12, 4-10 Big 12) drops their third-straight Big 12 game.

WVU’s leading scorer Erik Stevenson hit his third three-pointer in a span of two minutes in the second half, resulting in a Texas Tech (15-12, 4-10 Big 12) timeout. Stevenson went on a 12-3 run by himself to give West Virginia the lead back, up six.

Stevenson finished with 27 points on 6-of-14 shooting from three.

Stevenson’s guard mate Kedrian Johnson finished with 20 points.

Before and after Stevenson’s takeover, WVU struggled to hit a shot, play defense and control the ball. West Virginia’s defense struggled against Texas Tech, allowing 42 points in the paint. Mountaineers also turned the ball over 14 times.

West Virginia starters Tre Mitchell and Emmitt Matthews couldn’t get anything going against the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech guard Jaylon Tyson had a career day against WVU. Tyson recorded a career high of 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field. Tyson also made 3-three’s and pulled down five rebounds.

Red Raiders returned freshman guard Pop Isaacs to the rotation against West Virginia. TTU F Fardaws Aimaq also play for the first time against WVU this year, missing the game in Lubbock on Jan. 25.

Texas Tech was without forward Daniel Batcho with a lower body injury. Batcho missed his third-consecutive game on Saturday. The 6-foot-11 big averages 8.1 points and 6.0 rebounds this season.

WVU hosted 2024 G Sharron Young out of Morgantown High School for an unofficial visit on Saturday. Young attended the game along with 2024 F Elijah Guillory.

West Virginia will have one day off before hosting Oklahoma State on Monday night. The Mountaineers and Cowboys will tipoff at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.