No. 17 Texas Tech avoids major upset with win over Abilene Christian
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Kyler Edwards scored 19 points and No. 17 Texas Tech avoided a major upset in a defensive struggle with a 51-44 victory against Abilene Christian on Wednesday night.
The Red Raiders (5-1) trailed with seven minutes remaining before Edwards made one of two free throws to get even and Nimari Burnett, who scored 10 points, sank a pair to put Texas Tech up for good at 38-36.
Abilene Christian's reputation for strong defense held up well, with the Red Raiders shooting 28% while having a difficult time getting open looks and missing many of the ones they did get.
Coryon Mason scored 14 points for the Wildcats (5-1), a Southland Conference team that made the move from Division II less than 10 years ago.
Texas Tech made just four field goals in the second half but held on thanks to free throws, going 20 of 25 after halftime after making just five of 12 from the line in the first half.
The leading scorers for both teams struggled, with Texas Tech's Mac McClung going 1 of 11 from the field and finishing with eight points after making six of seven free throws. Kolton Kohl of Abilene Christian missed all three of his shots and scored one point.
The Red Raiders were without starter Terrence Shannon Jr., who was in street clothes with a walking boot after spraining an ankle in a win over Grambling State in the previous game.
BIG PICTURE
Abilene Christian: The Wildcats should draw quite a bit of confidence from such a strong showing in the first of two tests against Power Five teams. ACU is scheduled to visit Arkansas on Dec. 23.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders simply couldn't make shots, but finally salted away perhaps their ugliest win under coach Chris Beard thanks to one of McClung's misses. The Georgetown transfer had to shoot a long 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down in the final minute, and Edwards grabbed the long rebound, got fouled and made both free throws.
UP NEXT
Abilene Christian: The Wildcats play the first of two straight games against crosstown rivals at home against McMurry on Saturday. Hardin-Simmons visits next Wednesday.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders are set for their second neutral-site game in the Dallas area against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday in Frisco.
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