Texas Tech beats BYU, will take on Houston in semifinals

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Getting a bye in the first two rounds of the Big 12 Conference Tournament Championship, the fourth-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders jumped out early and knocked off fifth-seeded BYU, 81-67, in Kansas City on Thursday.

The win moves No. 25 Tech into the semifinals where it will take on Houston at 6 p.m. on Friday.

The Red Raiders got off to a fast start opening up a 14-2 lead. The lead ballooned to 23 with the Red Raiders up, 40-17. The Red Raiders led 42-23 at the half after shooting 52% from the floor.

Tech was 7-11 from behind the three-point line in the first half while BYU was 3-18.

The Cougars rallied to cut the deficit to 62-55 with five minutes left.

The Red Raiders responded with back-to-back three pointers from Joe Toussaint and Darrion Williams to make it 68-55 with 3:49 left.

Pop Isaacs led four Red Raiders in double figures with 22 points.

Chance McMillian came off the bench for 17 points.

Kerwin Walton added 12. Robert Jennings had a strong game with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Tech is now 23-9 overall and a win over the No. 20 Cougars is their seventh win over a Top-25 team.

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