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The Texas Tech basketball team shook off a cold start and ran away with a 94-61 season-opening win over Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday in United Supermarkets Arena.
The Red Raiders (1-0) utilized a 19-2 run over a six-minute span to turn a close game into a blowout. Texas Tech was without a few key bodies and had to settle in on defense, but the offense remains elite.
Kerwin Walton hit a new career-high seven 3-pointers and finished with 21 points while the Red Raiders went 16 for 30 from 3-point range in the drubbing of the Wildcats.
More: How Texas Tech basketball’s NCAA Tournament loss guided the build of 2024-25 roster
Texas Tech basketball shorthanded against Bethune-Cookman
While this year’s version of the Red Raiders should be deeper than last, that was not the case on Tuesday. Both of Texas Tech’s point guards, Elijah Hawkins and Christian Anderson, missed the game, as did forward Eemeli Yalaho. Tech’s pregame injury report listed each of those three as game-to-game with lower-body injuries.
Those absences, plus the extended absence of freshman Jazz Henderson (foot) meant the Red Raiders had 10 available bodies, two of them walk-ons. Tech coach Grant McCasland stuck with a seven-man rotation for most of the game, so it was pretty identical to last year after all.
Texas Tech’s Darrion Williams shoots against Bethune-Cookman during a non-conference basketball game, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at United Supermarkets Arena.
Darrion Williams asserting himself early
In his first year in a Red Raider uniform, it took Darrion Williams a couple months of games before he felt comfortable enough to assert himself on offense. Williams decided not to wait that long this season, compiling 17 points, six assists and three rebounds to lead all scorers.
Much of Williams’ success came from one-on-one spots in the post in which he backed down his man and either got to the cup, used a turnaround jumper or dished it off. The Wildcats had no answers for him.
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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/darrion-williams-dominant-other-takeaways-025602048.html
Author : Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Publish date : 2024-11-06 02:56:00
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