Iowa State Cyclones vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Match Player Stats On Mar 04, 2021

In another offensive clinic, 18th-ranked Texas Tech thumped Iowa State 81-54 in Lubbock on Thursday to avoid a first-round game at the Big 12 Tournament next week.

Texas Tech (17-8, 9-7 Big 12) produced its third win of 27 points or more against the Cyclones in the last two seasons, and this one was one of the Red Raiders' best shooting performances in several seasons.

Mac McClung shook out of a recent slump to lead Texas Tech with 20 points, Marcus Santos-Silva scored 14 and grabbed seven rebounds and three others scored in double digits. At the heart of the Red Raiders' impressive offensive performance was a season-best shooting effort, as they knocked down 61.7 percent from the field (29 of 47).

Jalen Coleman-Lands and Tyler Harris paced Iowa State (2-20, 0-17 Big 12) with 15 points apiece.

Iowa State stuck close much of the first half and trailed just 35-27 at the break. Texas Tech pushed the lead back to double figures quickly after halftime, but the Cyclones whittled the deficit to 52-43 when Harris connected on a 3-pointer at the 13:42 mark.

That hope didn't last long as the Red Raiders embarked on a 15-2 run over the next 4 1/2 minutes, hitting 6 of 7 shots from the floor.

As feisty as Iowa State was in the first half, it couldn't slow down the Red Raiders despite their nine turnovers in the first 20 minutes. Texas Tech drilled eight of its first 11 field goals and shot a blazing 65 percent (13 of 20) to build the lead.

Meanwhile, the Cyclones' offense was disjointed and ineffective for long stretches. They shot only 32.1 percent (10 of 31) and missed 11 of 14 from 3-point range in the half.

--Field Level Media