The ride through Kansas City came to a tough stop Thursday afternoon for No. 16 Texas Tech. What began as a tightly contested Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal turned into a frustrating second-half slide as the Red Raiders fell 75-53 to No. 7 Iowa State at the T-Mobile Center.
For a half, Tech looked every bit like the team that spent the season climbing the national rankings. The Red Raiders came out aggressive, confident, and ready to trade punches with one of the conference’s toughest opponents. An early surge set the tone as Tech ripped off an 11-0 run and jumped out to a 13-2 lead after a three-pointer from LeJuan Watts. The Red Raiders were knocking down perimeter shots and forcing the Cyclones to play catch-up.
Texas Tech’s ball movement and energy produced one of its best early stretches of the tournament. The Red Raiders briefly built a double-digit advantage and controlled the pace while Iowa State struggled to find rhythm from the outside. Watts led the early charge, while Christian Anderson provided scoring punch and playmaking.
But Iowa State slowly clawed its way back.
The Cyclones began leaning on their physical presence inside, chipping away at the deficit with steady pressure in the paint. A mid-half run pulled Iowa State back into the game before Tamin Lipsey buried a three-pointer that briefly gave the Cyclones their first lead.
Even then, Tech never let the game get away before the break. Donovan Atwell knocked down multiple three-pointers to keep the Red Raiders within striking distance, and Anderson added another late triple to tie the game. Iowa State answered just before the buzzer with a three of its own, sending the Cyclones into halftime with a narrow 36-33 lead.
At that point, it still felt like anyone’s game.
Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, the momentum never swung back their way.
Early in the second half, Iowa State delivered the knockout blow. After Atwell drilled his third three-pointer of the afternoon to cut the margin to five, the Cyclones unleashed a decisive 15-0 run that changed everything. Suddenly the tight contest had turned into a double-digit Iowa State advantage.
The run showcased exactly what makes the Cyclones so dangerous. Their size controlled the glass, their defense forced tough shots, and their offense found open looks from both the perimeter and the paint. By the time the dust settled, Iowa State had built a comfortable cushion that Tech never seriously threatened.
The numbers told the story. Iowa State dominated the rebounding battle 39-29 and controlled the paint with a massive 42-18 scoring edge inside. The Cyclones also capitalized on key mistakes, turning turnovers into a 17-4 scoring advantage.
Tamin Lipsey led the Iowa State attack with 20 points, including four three-pointers, while Joshua Jefferson added a dominant double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Texas Tech struggled to regain its first-half rhythm. The Red Raiders shot just under 34 percent from the field and couldn’t generate consistent offense once Iowa State tightened the screws defensively.
Watts finished with 12 points and seven rebounds to lead Tech, while Anderson added 10 points and three assists. Atwell contributed nine points with three made threes, and Jaylen Petty chipped in eight points, five rebounds, and four assists.
While the Big 12 Tournament run ended earlier than Tech hoped, the Red Raiders’ season is far from finished.
Texas Tech spent the year ranked nationally for the first time in program history and is positioned well for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The selection committee already placed the Red Raiders in a strong early position, and the team is expected to make its third straight appearance in March Madness.
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