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03-16-2018, 09:14 AM
DALLAS â Keenan Evans scored 19 of his game-high 23 points in the second half Thursday night as No. 3 seed Texas Tech advanced to the round of 32 after holding off Stephen F. Austin, 70-60, in front of a capacity crowd at American Airlines Center.
Evans dominated the final 20 minutes as the Red Raiders (25-9) overcame an eight-point deficit in the second half to advance to play No. 6 seed Florida, which topped St. Bonaventure in the nightcap.
"For our guys, we knew we were going to have to play great to win this game because we knew how good Stephen F. Austin was," Tech head coach Chris Beard said following the game. "I'm really pleased for our players that we advanced to the second round, beating a team that we had nothing but respect for."
The Red Raiders ended the game on a 15-5 run that was sparked on the defensive end as Tech held Stephen F. Austin without a field goal for the final 5:22 of regulation. Evans had eight points during that run alone.
Evans' 23 points marked the 13th time this season and the 22nd time in his career he has scored 20 or more points. The Red Raiders, who shot an impressive 57.7 percent (15-of-26) from the field in the second half, are now 12-1 in those games this season.
"I just get aggressive later in the game, and it's something that I have to do for my team," said Evans, who was a perfect 10-of-10 at the free throw line. "I've got to get to the line, make plays, and just try to bring us to a win. As time winds down, I've got to get more aggressive and more aggressive."
Evans was joined in double figures by Zhaire Smith, who brought the arena to its feet midway through the first half with a sensational 360 alley-oop dunk. Smith also added eight rebounds, matching his career high.
Zach Smith added nine points of his own, while Justin Gray chipped in four points to go along with seven rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Red Raiders await the winner of tonight's finale between No. 6 Florida and No. 11 St. Bonaventure. Tip is slated for 7:40 p.m. CT with television coverage provided on TNT.
http://texastech.com/news/2018/3/15/mens...ustin.aspx
Evans dominated the final 20 minutes as the Red Raiders (25-9) overcame an eight-point deficit in the second half to advance to play No. 6 seed Florida, which topped St. Bonaventure in the nightcap.
"For our guys, we knew we were going to have to play great to win this game because we knew how good Stephen F. Austin was," Tech head coach Chris Beard said following the game. "I'm really pleased for our players that we advanced to the second round, beating a team that we had nothing but respect for."
The Red Raiders ended the game on a 15-5 run that was sparked on the defensive end as Tech held Stephen F. Austin without a field goal for the final 5:22 of regulation. Evans had eight points during that run alone.
Evans' 23 points marked the 13th time this season and the 22nd time in his career he has scored 20 or more points. The Red Raiders, who shot an impressive 57.7 percent (15-of-26) from the field in the second half, are now 12-1 in those games this season.
"I just get aggressive later in the game, and it's something that I have to do for my team," said Evans, who was a perfect 10-of-10 at the free throw line. "I've got to get to the line, make plays, and just try to bring us to a win. As time winds down, I've got to get more aggressive and more aggressive."
Evans was joined in double figures by Zhaire Smith, who brought the arena to its feet midway through the first half with a sensational 360 alley-oop dunk. Smith also added eight rebounds, matching his career high.
Zach Smith added nine points of his own, while Justin Gray chipped in four points to go along with seven rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Red Raiders await the winner of tonight's finale between No. 6 Florida and No. 11 St. Bonaventure. Tip is slated for 7:40 p.m. CT with television coverage provided on TNT.
http://texastech.com/news/2018/3/15/mens...ustin.aspx
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