Another Second Half Meltdown Dooms Longhorns

The Texas Longhorns built a 16-point lead in the first half but their second half allowed Texas Tech to steal one on the road.

In the first matchup of Texas Tech and Texas, after a quick layup by Jahmi’us Ramsey, the Red Raiders took the quick lead. The Longhorns had a hard time hitting a shot as the teams struggled to score in the first three minutes of the game. A block by Kai Jones got Texas into transition and found Matt Coleman III all alone for the three.

It was stifling defense and Andrew Jones early on for the Longhorns. Jones was able to get 11 of the first 18 points for Texas. On defense he was getting steals, blocking shots to provide all the energy for Texas. Texas forced 10 turnovers by Tech in the first 12 minutes of the first half. That led Texas to a 14-0 run to extend the lead to 22-8 with under eight minutes to go in the half.

After falling down by 16 late in the first half, Tech went on an 8-0 to cut the lead in half. It was up to Jones to build the lead back to double digits after drawing a foul to get him to the line. In the fist half A1J was responsible for 16 of the Longhorns 31 first half points as they led at the break 31-19.

It was Texas Tech in the first half with the sloppy play that led to 11 first half turnovers. The Longhorns returned the favor early on in the second half with three quick turnovers that allowed Tech to close within seven after a Davide Moretti three-pointer, 37-30 with 16:00 to go.

Royce Hamm Jr built the lead back up to nine following an assist from A. Jones. The Longhorns would score on a Donovan Williams layup to go up 41-32 before Texas would go on a four plus minute scoring drought that let Texas Tech right back in the game. They would tie it up at 41 with over 10 minutes left. Hamm would stop the drought with an offensive rebound and slam to retake the lead after Kamaka Hepa misses a layup.

After back and forth between the two teams, it became the Matt Coleman show as they headed to a finish. Coleman scored six of his 17 points in a three minute stretch to retake the lead at 54-52. Coleman would drive into the lane before he found Courtney Ramey all alone for a three-point shot to jump back in front of Tech, 57-56.

The final 2:06 was less than memorable for the Longhorns, especially the final 31 seconds. In an attempt to retake the lead, Coleman attempted three layups and was blocked all three times by Tech forward T.J. Holyfield. The Longhorns would fall at home 62-57 after four consecutive Moretti free throws sealed the deal.  Andrew Jones led the Longhorns with 18.