Texas Tech Red Raider Basketball Takes Care of Nebraska-Omaha as Jaye Crockett Scores 22

Texas Tech Red Raider Basketball is now (2-0) on the season after beating Nebraska-Omaha 91-63 at the United Spirit Arena Wednesday night. Nebraska-Omaha played a very competitive first half but the depth, pressing defense and inside play of the Red Raiders wore them down in the second half. At the half Texas Tech was only up by six points, 43-37. But in the second half, the Red Raiders shot 54% from the field, going 17/31. They also made 10/13 free throws as Nebraska-Omaha was forced to foul to prevent easy buckets.

Starting point guard Josh Gray scored 10 of his 15 points in the first half as his 3-point shooting helped the Red Raiders spread the floor. However, Jaye Crockett (#30 pictured, above), who is being used in a role off the bench, led the Red Raiders in scoring and had a double-double. He scored a career-high 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in 25 minutes of action.

Texas Tech out-rebounded Nebraska-Omaha 48 to 27. "Coach Walker put an emphasis on that. Rebounds and turnovers," said Crockett. "We have to have a better ratio between turnovers and assists (8 and 16, respectively). We have to out-rebound them."

Crockett was also asked about his role in coming off the bench to "provide a spark", "I don't pay attention to coming off the bench," said Crockett. "As long as I'm playing, I'm happy. We came here and got the job done, so I'm happy about that."

Dejan Kravic (pictured, left) also had a stellar night for Texas Tech. He went 9/11 from the field and 2/2 free throw shooting for a career-high of 20 points. Texas Tech interim head coach Chris Walker said he told Kravic to get more aggressive in the paint and Kravic's aggressiveness paid off. Kravic said, "We turned it up in the second half. So far, we've been a first half team. This time it was the other way around and we are happy with the win and our performance."

After being suspended for last week's season opener against Prairie View A&M, Trency Jackson started for Texas Tech. He played 24 minutes and scored 8 points. "I though Trency handled his suspension with class," Walker said. "He took care of his business and the matter is over." Walker also said he thought Jackson played well and had good defensive intensity on the floor.

Walker also said the Red Raiders are playing the style of basketball he wants to see, "Our style is to wear the opponent down. We wear them down (by pressing). We got more bodies. I have confidence in every last one of my guys to get into the game and play. And to take whatever shot (they have). I think that if they can make it, they should take it. We prey on guys that think that there's a weak link on this team."

Nebraska-Omaha was led in scoring by Justin Simmons. He had 13 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist.

Texas Tech's next game is November 20 against Grambling State at the United Spirit Arena. Tip-off is at 8 o'clock.