LUBBOCK, Tex. - The Wildcats went toe-to-toe with Texas Tech in the early goings, but the Red Raiders utilized the deep ball to pull away as B-CU drops the 2024-25 season opener, 94-61, Tuesday night at United Supermarkets Arena.
Bethune-Cookman (0-1) hung tough with Texas Tech (1-0) through much of the first half as a deep three and step-back jumper from
Antwann Jones on back-to-back possessions kept B-CU to within one of the Red Raiders at 13-12 through six minutes of play. Jones exited the game with an injury following the play and did not return.
A 9-2 Texas Tech run was quickly stopped as a
Trey Thomas steal and foul, followed by a Jesus Carralero-Marin three-ball kept the Cats within three through 10 minutes.
Three straight baskets from
Reggie Ward Jr. kept the pressure on as the Wildcats trailed, 33-28 with just under five to play until half.
From there, four Red Raiders' threes highlighted a 17-2 Texas Tech run as they headed into the break leading 50-28. Texas Tech made nine total threes on 15 attempts in the first half.
The Texas Tech three-point barrage continued into the second half, with Texas Tech connecting on seven of 15 shots from deep on the way to the victory.
Ten second-half points from
Brayon Freeman and seven from Jarell Love kept things competitive, but the Red Raiders were too much to handle as they ran away with the 96-61 win.
- Reggie Ward Jr. led B-CU offensive efforts with a team-high 15 points on 7-10 shooting with seven rebounds.
- Brayon Freeman was the only other Wildcat in double figures - he finished with 12 points on 5-16 shooting with two made threes, two rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
- Trey Thomas grabbed four steals and nine points on the night.
- B-CU scored 12 points off turnovers.
- Texas Tech scored 24 points on the fast break.
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