Texas Tech Wins Season Opener vs High Point, 77-73

Devaugntah Williams refused to lose on Friday night as he poured in 26 points during the Texas Tech men’s basketball team season opener, a 77-73 victory over High Point.

"It's a good win for us against a very good team. It was a hard fought game," Texas Tech head coach Tubby Smith said. "It's hard to simulate the intensity level that you have to play with against a team like High Point. The guys that we expected to step up did. (Devaugntah) Williams was just fantastic tonight, I think everybody came ready to play. Guys like Devon Thomas who made those clutch plays down the stretch, they have been through those battles before."

Justin Gray added 12 points, Devon Thomas added 9 points and 2 assists, while Keenan Evans tacked on 8 points. Veteran Toddrick Gotcher checked all the stat boxes with 7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

The game was a back and forth affair after High Point started with a 12-5 advantage at the 12:20 mark in the opening half. Texas Tech went to work and had a run of 20 of the next 28 points over the next 7:17 to turn the tables.

With the score at 68-68 with 2:14 remaining in the second half, Williams jumped the passing lane for a steal and threw down a thunderous one-handed dunk to give Texas Tech the lead for good. He buried the game-tying three-pointer on Tech’s previous possession.

High Point got within 2 points on 2 occasions inside the final 18 seconds. However, Gray and Aaron Ross answered the bell with a flawless 4-of-4 mark at the free throw line to close out the 77-73 win.

Up next, Texas Tech travels to the Puerto Rico Tip-Off in San Juan. The Red Raiders open the three-game tournament against No. 16 Utah on Thursday. Tip time is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and the game will be televised by ESPN2.

[Source: Texastech.com]