Texas Tech Red Raider Basketball Cruises to 10-Point Win Over Prairie View A&M

Texas Tech Red Raider Basketball is now (1-0) after defeating Prairie View A&M 89-79 Friday night at the United Spirit Arena.

Four Red Raiders scored in double figures with Jordan Tolbert leading the team with 16 points. Tolbert had great night shooting, going 7/7 from the field and 2/3 from the free thrown line. He also had 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Tolbert said this year's new influx of talent, like Jamal Williams, helps him get more opportunities, “It takes a lot of pressure off me, having guys that can create their own shot. It just makes it easier for me and makes it easier for the team.” Speaking of Jamal Williams, he was the Red Raiders number two scorer with 15 points, including 4 3-pointers.

Texas Tech's defense was relentless in the first half as interim head coach Chris Walker (pictured, right) had his team in a full-court press. Overall, he was pleased with his team's play, "What I did like about game one is that we got the win. I also liked the fact that we were ahead again and just like in the exhibition game we had to fight through some adversity. We got seven new players, we got two freshman and two guys who are primary ball handlers that have never played at this level and we played against a very experienced team. They grinded it out and once again we almost scored 90 points again and that’s something we want to do."

Prairie View A&M only had one lead in the game and that was off of their first two points at the 18:04 mark of the first half. Texas Tech was able to extend their lead to 20 late in the first half and played most of the second half with a 9 to 11 point lead.

Sophomore guard Trency Jackson didn't play in the game for the Red Raiders. Coach Walker said during the postgame press conference that Jackson was suspended for disciplinary reasons.

After the game, Walker revealed he received a special memento from Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt, "It’s a great feeling Kirby Hocutt gave me the game ball, in the locker room and the guys clapped it up for me. That’s the first thing I did was thank my player because like I told them this will be etched in stone I’ll always remember you guys no matter what happens in my lifetime. It’s gratifying to have been on that journey for such a long time and now to finally get your chance and get your first win, it’s just something you always dream about and now that it’s happened I want number two.”

Walker's chance at win number two comes Wednesday night against Nebraska-Omaha 7pm at the United Spirit Arena.