Texas Tech stalls DePaul early en path to 76-62 win

Starting each half was a problem for DePaul on Wednesday, it created a hole that finally proved to be too deep against host Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.

The Red Raiders (7-1) uncorked runs of 14-0 and 13-2, respectively, on the way to a 76-62 home victory in the Big 12-Big East Battle, handing the Blue Demons (7-1) their first loss of the season.

The Blue Demons shot their way back into the game in the first half and claimed a brief 34-33 lead at the 2:24 mark, sparked by Jacob Meyer’s 11 points and three 3-pointers. DePaul knocked down 9-of-21 treys in the half to trail by just one point at the break, 38-37.

But the Red Raiders rediscovered their rhythm in the opening stages of the second half, fueled by Darrion Williams, Chance McMillian, and a ramped-up defensive intensity.

McMillian and Williams each scored 11 points after the intermission by combining to hit 9-of-17 shots to help Texas Tech connect on 15-of-30 as a team. McMillian led the Red Raiders with 22 points, while Williams added 20. Leading scorer and rebounder J.T. Toppin did not play due to a lower-body injury.

Meanwhile, the Texas Tech defense flustered DePaul into its miserable beginnings.

The Blue Demons missed their first eight field goals of the game, seven of them from long range, and 2 of 8 overall to begin the second half. The second cold spell allowed the Red Raiders to turn their narrow halftime lead into a 51-40 cushion with 14:33 left in the game.

DePaul fell behind by as many as 16 points before scratching back within 67-58 with 4:40 to play on David Skogman’s 3-pointer — the team’s second and final make from deep after halftime. The Blue Demons hit only 2-of-14 treys in the half.

Meyer led DePaul with 14 points and JJ Traynor added 11. The Blue Demons were also stung by 14 turnovers, which led to 21 Texas Tech points.

–Field Level Media