Red Raider Recap: Iowa State 82, Tech 80

Monday, February 20

United Supermarkets Arena

8:00 PM

Texas Tech Athletics

17-11 (5-10B12)

Iowa State

18-9 (10-5B12)

OT 1

Iowa State

Texas Tech

Red Raider Recap: Iowa State 82, Tech 80

February 21, 2017 | Men's Basketball

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By: Five of Texas Tech’s last six losses have come by four points or less.

LUBBOCK, TEXAS – The Texas Tech men's basketball team was handed its second overtime loss over a three-day span as Iowa State tucked away an 82-80 decision Monday at the United Supermarkets Arena.

The Red Raiders (17-11, 5-10 Big 12) were playing their fourth game in a 10-day span versus the Top 4 teams in the Big 12 standings. Five of Texas Tech's last six losses have come by four points or less. The other decision was a nine-point double overtime setback at No. 9 West Virginia last Saturday.

Iowa State (18-9, 10-5 Big 12) pushed its winning streak to four games and remained in a second-place tie with West Virginia in the Big 12 standings. The Cyclones have claimed 10-plus Big 12 victories in six straight seasons.

"I saw a team that fights their asses off and has been in a lot of close games," Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard said. "They represent their school well, their town. The guys go to class every day and do the right thing. We also have a coaching staff that believes in their players. We find ourselves in another one possession game, and we try to play it to the bone."

Niem Stevenson piled up a team-leading 17 points to go along with seven rebounds. He tallied 13 of the 17 points during the second half and overtime. Stevenson has reached double figures for the fifth consecutive game and in seven of his last eight outings.

Justin Gray grinded his way to 16 points on 5-of-9 from the floor and a 5-of-6 clip at the free throw line. It marked only the second time in 11 games this season where Texas Tech lost when Gray reached double digit points.

Zach Smith registered 16 points and 10 rebounds, his third double-double in the last five games. Keenan Evans chipped in 10 points and four assists. The 10 points enabled Evans to extend his streak to 16 straight games in double figures.

Aaron Ross tallied eight points and two assists making his first start since the LSU game back on Jan. 28. Devon Thomas provided a spark off the bench with six points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals over his 26 minutes of action.

Texas Tech turned in a 26-for-66 shooting performance and connected on 7-for-21 from beyond the three-point line. The Red Raiders were 21-for-27 at the free throw line in regulation but were unable to get to the charity stripe during the overtime period.

Iowa State countered with a 26-of-56 clip from the field and sank 12-of-24 on three-pointers. The Cyclones were 18-of-25 from the foul line and converted on seven of their 10 attempts in overtime.

Monte Morris came away with 23 points, six assists and four rebounds followed by Matt Thomas' 20 points and six rebounds. Nazareth Mitrou-Long tacked on 16 points before he fouled out.

Once again, the Red Raiders battled back from a late deficit at the end of regulation. Texas Tech faced a 68-60 hole with 5:15 remaining and reeled off 13 of the closing 18 points to force the extra period.

Thomas ignited the charge by going strong to the basket for layup. Then, Stevenson followed his own miss with a left-handed layup through contact. He made the free throw for the traditional three-point play to bring the score to 68-65 at the 3:50 mark.

Down 70-67 at the 1:35 mark, Gray connected on two free throws after being fouled on a transition layup attempt to make it a one-point game.

Texas Tech was forced to foul after a Morris missed jump shot was stuck between the rim and backboard. The Cyclones were awarded the ball off the possession arrow with under 30 seconds to go. Mitrou-Long sank a pair at the line to give Iowa State a 72-69 advantage with 26 seconds on the clock.

The Red Raiders elected to go for two and extend the game. Evans was hacked driving to the basket and rattled home a pair of free throws to close the gap to 72-71 with 16 seconds.

It paid off for Texas Tech when Morris split his free throws two seconds later, and Evans was fouled once again with 5.1 ticks. Evans calmly knocked down the equalizing free throws.

Iowa State was whistled for an over-and-back violation which gave the Red Raiders a chance to win the game in regulation, but Smith's jumper was short off the rim as time expired.

The Cyclones lived at the line and scored their last seven points on free throws over the closing 3:19 of overtime.

Texas Tech nearly wiped away a four-point margin with 17 seconds left. Evans sank a runner off the glass with 10.1 seconds to make it 82-80.

Iowa State missed two free throws to give the Red Raiders a chance to extend the game or win with a three-pointer. However, Texas Tech was unable to get off a shot before the buzzer.

"We foul the right guy, we block out, we play the game right, we don't have any timeouts left and maybe that's my mistake," Beard said. "I'll take the responsibility for that. We come down – one of the best players I've ever coached (Keenan Evans) doesn't make the play. I will take the ball in Keenan Evans' hands every time for as long as I coach here. That's what I saw in the last play."

The Red Raiders survived an Iowa State three-point barrage during the opening 20 minutes. The Cyclones hit on nine treys which included three in the last 2:33 to draw the score even at 39-39 after Texas Tech built a six-point edge.

Texas Tech will play two of its last three regular season games on the road and will look to break through with its first Big 12 road win at Oklahoma State. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised by ESPNU along with being available on the Watch ESPN app.

Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/TexasTechMBB and @TexasTechMBB on Twitter and Instagram.