BYU Cougars Outmaneuvered by Texas Tech Red Raiders in Big 12 Quarterfinals
The Brigham Young University Cougars faced a challenging contest against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, concluding with a score of 81-67. The Cougars entered the game ranked 20th with an additional bonus but were unable to secure victory over the 25th-ranked Red Raiders.
The game, held at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, saw the BYU Cougars starting strong with a first-half performance that earned them 23 points. However, they fell behind as the Texas Tech Red Raiders racked up an impressive 42 points by halftime. In the second half, BYU managed to add another 44 points to their tally but couldn't close the gap as Texas Tech secured another 39 points.
BYU's offense was led by their ability to convert two-point shots at a rate of 56 percent and excel at free throws with an accuracy of 83 percent. They also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 15 points off them and adding seven second-chance points. The team's effort in paint was notable too, contributing a substantial total of 30 points from that area.
Despite these efforts, several statistics stood out for BYU that might have affected their performance negatively. They committed a total of ten turnovers equaling those made by players and had twenty personal fouls during the game which resulted in one player being fouled out.
On defense, BYU managed four steals and blocked one shot while pulling down a total of thirty-four rebounds—eight offensive and twenty-three defensive ones alongside three team rebounds.
In contrast, Texas Tech showcased strong shooting across the board with field goal percentages nearly reaching fifty percent overall and an impressive forty-seven percent from beyond the arc. Their defense notched six steals and capitalized on thirteen turnovers while amassing forty-two rebounds—nine offensive ones included—and blocking one shot attempt.
As fans look ahead after this quarterfinal matchup in Big 12 play-offs, they will find solace in standout performances such as those who contributed fourteen assists for BYU or those who fought for every rebound under both baskets.
The next broadcast featuring Brigham Young University will bring another opportunity for fans to rally behind their team as they continue their season journey.