Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
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Turner Leads Texas Tech Past Southeastern, 79-67
November 04, 2014 | Men's Basketball
Texas Tech's Robert Turner paced the Red Raiders with 19 points in the men's basketball exhibition opener against Southeastern Oklahoma State.
November 3, 2014
BOX SCORE¦ BOX SCORE 
¦ POSTGAME NOTES ¦ POSTGAME QUOTES
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech used a late 12-3 run to put away Southeastern Oklahoma State, 79-67, on Monday at United Supermarkets Arena in the exhibition opener for both teams.
Red Raider senior Robert Turner led the charge for Texas Tech, as the Augusta, Ga., native recorded 19 points on 9 of 13 shooting, while sophomore Randy Onwuasor added 13 points and junior transfer Devaugntah Williams added another 12 points.
"I thought to get a chance to play against a team in a game-like condition was just what we needed," said Red Raider head coach Tubby Smith. "Southeastern Oklahoma really showed a lot of toughness. I thought they were very quick and really shot the ball extremely well, especially their threes.
"I thought we did some good things as well, especially rebounding the ball even though the second half, Southeastern had picked it up. But it was a good start, a good test; now we have something to evaluate."
Turner led the Red Raiders on a 7-3 run to open the game, as the senior converted a layup, jumper and 3-pointer to open the game.
Freshmen center Norense Odiase extended the lead to eight, 20-12, with a putback with 19:50 to play in the first. But just as the Red Raiders got comfortable, the Savage Storm came roaring back on an 11-4 run, thanks to the deep ball, to cut the lead to 24-23 with 6:30 to go in the first.
Southeastern cut it back to two twice, but couldn't any closer, as just like the beginning of the game, Turner capped the half with the last four points for Tech, giving the Red Raiders a 38-32 lead going into the half.
Guards Anton Cook and Taylor Smaller got hot and led the Savage Storm back to open the second. Cooks free throws with 16:36 to go in the game gave Southeastern its first lead since opening with a 3-2 lead.
The two teams battled back and forth until Tech took a slim 60-59 lead. At that point, Texas Tech went on its 12-3 lead to take a 72-62 lead with 6:35 to go in the game. Southeastern would cut the Red Raider lead back to seven, 72-65, on a Smaller 3-pointer, but that is as close as the Savage Storm would get.
Texas Tech closed out the game on a 6-2 run to seal the victory for the Red Raiders.
Southeastern Oklahoma lived and died by the 3-pointer on the night, as Southeastern shot 34 treys on the night, making 11 from deep. The Red Raiders countered with 54 points in the paint.
The Red Raiders also saw areas to improve, as Texas Tech shot just 48.6 percent from the line.
"Just concentrate, and honestly, just being a better passer," said Turner of Tech's poor shooting. "We were passing to some guys some times and it was taking them out of their shots and that really hurts that shot preparation. Can't get their hands set or their feet set and everything like that, so a better pass will lead to a better shot."
Two big keys for the Red Raiders were rebounding and points in transition. Texas Tech had its most rebounds in 63 games with 47 on Monday. The Red Raiders also equaled last season's high in steals with 11 steals. The takeaways led to 25 points off of turnovers.
Texas Tech will play its second and final exhibition on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the United Supermarkets Arena, when the Red Raiders host Texas A&M-Commerce.
The season will tipoff on Nov. 14 as a part of a doubleheaders with the Lady Raiders. The women play at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men at 8 p.m.
