Texas Tech Basketball Beats Ranked Nevada Team in Overtime
A long time ago (Tuesday night) in a galaxy far away (the United Supermarkets Arena), Texas Tech used the force to overcome Nevada in overtime 82-76 on Star Wars night.
The first 3/4ths of this game was all Nevada. In fact, with 9:30 minutes left in the second half, the Wolf Pack led 51-43 and the Red Raiders weren't in control at all up to that point. After a steal from freshman Zhaire Smith and a bucket from Keenan Evans, the crowd started to wake up.
The Red Raiders would start to chip away as Keenan Evans put the team on his back, making some big shots and getting to the foul line.
Seriously, Evans had an incredible second half on the offensive end, getting the deficit to just two points by 6:28 left in the game.
After the charge on the other end, Texas Tech would take its first lead of the game with a 3-pointer from freshman Davide Moretti. The Wolf Pack and the Red Raiders would fluctuate the rest of the game between a tied game and a four-point lead for the Wolf Pack. Justin Gray would sink two free throws with 22 seconds on the clock to send the game to overtime after Zach Smith sent a last second shot from Nevada back to where it came from.
The overtime period would feature a worn out Wolf Pack squad getting out hustled by a deeper Texas Tech squad. Also, Zhaire Smith doing things like this:
In the end it was Keenan Evans and his 32 points and 8 rebounds that helped the Red Raiders win this tough game at home against a ranked, and undefeated, Nevada team.
After the game, Evans talked about his confidence level this season. "I thank my teammates and coaches for instilling me with that confidence. Without them I wouldn't have been able to take over the game at then end." Evans said, adding: "Them coming up and setting screens gives me the confidence to attack and be aggressive."
Head Coach Chris Beard had this to say to the students and fans that attended the game:
The Red Raiders are now 7-1 on the season and are 5-0 within the friendly confines of the USA. The Red Raiders will play Kennesaw State and Rice next week and will probably get back into the top 25 next Monday when the rankings drop.