WACO — Big and in need of a win, the No. 23 Texas Tech basketball team lost 79-73 to No. 13 Baylor on Tuesday night at Foster Pavilion.
The Red Raiders dropped their third straight game, falling to 16-6 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 play.
The Bears (17-5, 6-3) went on a 13-0 run in the second half to finally break through. Baylor had several chances to get away with this one, but the Red Raiders hung on as long as possible.
sick in bed
For the second consecutive game, the Red Raiders were without key players due to illness. Lamar Washington, who returned on Tuesday, missed Saturday's game against Cincinnati. On the other hand, Warren Washington wasn't 100% against the Bearcats and couldn't compete against them.
This marked Robert Jennings' first start of the season. Due to foul trouble, he didn't have much of an outstanding performance, so the Red Raiders hired Kieron Lindsay. Lindsay hasn't played since Jan. 1 and had seen just seven minutes before Tuesday. He doubled that total time in the first half of play, but like Jennings, was whistled for three fouls in the first half.
Emeli Yaraho also conceded a goal due to foul trouble. He was the first big player to get on the scoreboard with free throws.
playing with fire
The flaming twirler was the halftime entertainment at Foster Pavilion, and it was fitting for the Red Raiders. Tech led for much of the first half, but also benefited from Baylor, one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the country, making 3 of 13 in the first half.
Many of the missed threes were open looks that the Bears probably should have taken. Baylor also grabbed 10 offensive rebounds in the first 12 minutes of the game. However, Baylor only scored four second-chance points.
It was enough to keep most games close, but the Bears fell behind.
The snowball effect strikes again
Sometimes just one play can cause a chain reaction. The play occurred with 7 minutes, 29 seconds left in the game. With a timeout tied at 58-51, Chance McMillian made a pump fake and hit a wide-open three in the corner. The shot missed and was converted by Jayden Nunn at the other end.
Then a Joe Toussaint turnover, two Yves Missi free throws and another basket gave Baylor a quick 64-51 lead. This was part of a 13-0 run after the game was tied at 51-all.
What's next?
The Red Raiders will play three of their next four games in the comfort of United Supermarket Arena. UCF will become the first Big 12 team to come to Lubbock on Saturday before Kansas travels for Big Monday.
