Texas Tech Athletics
Air Force
Texas Tech Trips Air Force, 63-62
November 30, 2014 | Men's Basketball
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November 30, 2014
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Devaugntah Williams scored a career-high 21 points to lead Texas Tech to a 63-62 home win against Air Force on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Raiders (4-1) trailed by 19 points, 46-27, with 13 minutes left but went on a 25-10 run over the next 8:37 to cut the deficit to four points, 56-52, with 4:23 remaining.
The Falcons (3-3) went on a 6-1 run to extend their lead to nine points, 62-53, with 2:30 remaining. However, the Red Raiders used seven points from Williams and another two from Robert Turner to even the score at 62 with 26 seconds to play.
Turner's free throw with 23 seconds left gave the Red Raiders a 63-62 lead.
The Falcons missed two shots over the final 13 seconds. Max Yon scored a career-high 25 points, and four other Falcons scored at least seven points.
The Falcons shot 23 of 47 (48.9 percent) and 8 of 18 (44.4 percent) from 3-point range. It was the second time this season they've been held to less than 50 percent shooting from the field.
Texas Tech struggled with turnovers early, which allowed the Falcons to build a lead. With 15:40 remaining in the first half, the Red Raiders committed four turnovers over the next 3:54, allowing Air Force to extend a 7-6 lead to 14-6.
The Falcons led 32-16 at halftime using another three Tech turnovers.
But the Red Raiders went on their strong second-half rally, which was spurred by Turner's 19 points.
Justin Gray scored three points for the Red Raiders.
TIP-INS
Air Force: The Falcons shot 18 of 55 (32.7 percent) in their 68-53 loss at Colorado last Tuesday, the first time they shot beneath 50 percent this season. They responded well Sunday against the Red Raiders, shooting 23 of 47 (48.9 percent). Air Force entered Sunday's game ranked No. 23 nationally in field goal percentage and No. 21 in 3-point field goal percentage.
Texas Tech: Red Raiders center Norense Odiase entered Sunday leading Big 12 freshmen in scoring (12.0) and rebounding (6.8). Those figures lead the highly recruited Cliff Alexander (Kansas) and Myles Turner (Texas). Odiase has averaged 8.5 points and four rebounds in the second half of games, but he struggled Sunday with no points and three rebounds.
UP NEXT
Air Force plays host to Grambling State on Wednesday.
Texas Tech plays host to Auburn in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge on Wednesday.
