Field Level Media
Dec 12, 2020
No. 17 Texas Tech got a veteran starter back and played the same kind of defense that has become its signature Saturday.
That combination left Texas A&M-Corpus Christi frustrated.
Terrence Shannon Jr. was back in action after missing the Red Raiders' last game, and he came up big in a 77-57 victory at the Comerica Center in Frisco.
The longest-tenured Texas Tech player, Shannon showed no ill effects of an ankle injury with 15 points and seven rebounds, leading the Red Raiders in both categories.
Micah Peavy and Marcus Santos-Silva notched 12 points apiece, Kyler Edwards contributed nine (all in the first half) and Mac McClung shrugged off another tough shooting day (2 of 10 from the floor) to record six assists for the Red Raiders (6-1).
Nolan Bertain paced the Islanders (1-5) with 12 points, and Simeon Fryer added 10.
Texas Tech frustrated the Islanders with a half-court trap in a first half, as the Islanders shot a paltry 30 percent from the field (6 of 20) and turned the ball over 13 times.
The Red Raiders converted that into a 33-21 halftime lead by scoring 13 points off of Islanders turnovers, but Texas Tech's offense was sporadic at best.
Twice in the first half, the Red Raiders went through field goal droughts of four minutes or more, which allowed the Islanders to stay in range.
The offense got better after halftime, but finished the day shooting 39.7 percent (27 of 68) and Texas Tech was just 4-for-17 from beyond the 3-point arc. Edwards started the game and ended the first half with makes from deep, and reserve Clarence Nadolny buried two in late-game action, but that was it from deep for Texas Tech.
Limiting turnovers -- the Red Raiders lost the ball a season-low four times -- and dominating inside made up for the shooting woes. Shannon and Santos-Silva spearheaded that effort and also helped Texas Tech win the battle on the glass, 43-33.
The victory was the 100th at the school for fifth-year Red Raider coach Chris Beard and the fourth this season vs. a Southland Conference opponent. The competition level jumps up exponentially this week when Texas Tech plays host to No. 5 Kansas to open Big 12 Conference play.
--Field Level Media