By SEAN BOCK
After struggling in Oklahoma’s loss at West Virginia on Jan. 6, Trae Young found himself in a similar situation on Tuesday night. The freshman had 5 points and was 1-of-12 from the field at the half, but the Sooners were only down 31-29.
The second half was a different story for Young as he finished with 27 points, 9 assists and shot 7-of-23 from the field as No. 9 Oklahoma was able to maintain home court in a 75-65 victory over No. 8 Texas Tech.
Christian James scored 15 points while Khadeem Latin chipped in 11 for the Sooners. The Red Raiders were led by Keenan Evan‘s 19 points, who was the only Texas Tech player to score in double figures.
Coming into this matchup, Chris Beard‘s squad was riding an eight-game winning streak which included a road win over Kansas on Jan. 2. With the loss, the Raiders Raiders fall to 14-2 (3-1 Big 12) on the season while Oklahoma improved to 13-2 (3-1 Big 12).
West Virginia now is all alone at the top of the Big 12 standings at 4-0 with Kansas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma at 3-1.
The Red Raiders, known to be one of the deepest teams in the country, outscored the Sooners 29-9 in bench points, but their horrid shooting performance (37 percent from the field, 24 percent from 3) prevented them from gaining a lead.
Texas Tech’s style is known to be tough and gritty, which gave Oklahoma problems in the first half but the Sooners were able to pick up the intensity which was the difference in the second 20 minutes.
Young’s first points came on two free throws with 9:27 left in the first half as the Red Raiders started out in a box and one on the freshman to limit his impact on the game. In arguably two of his worst shooting performances on the season, Young has scored 29 and 27, which is impressive considering how opponents have done everything in their power to stop the phenom.
Oklahoma’s next contest will Jan. 13 in a rematch with No. 16 TCU, who the Sooners knocked off by one in Fort Worth on Dec. 30. Texas Tech will look to get back in the win column at home against No. 2 West Virginia on Jan. 13.
Photo: Sooner Sports
