Jan. 3, 2010
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David Tairu scored seven of his 15 points during a late 14-5 run that catapulted Texas Tech past UTEP, 86-78, on Sunday afternoon at United Spirit Arena.
The 20th-ranked Red Raiders (12-2) trailed the Miners (9-3) 67-61 prior to the spurt, which gave them the lead for good at 75-72.
UTEP was down 76-74 with a minute and a half to play before Texas Tech closed it out by going 8-for-10 at the line led by John Roberson, who was 7-for-8 at the stripe.
Texas Tech, which moved to 10-0 at home this season, made 35-of-46 free throws - including 29-of-36 in the second half - and dominated UTEP on the boards, particularly in the first half. The Red Raiders had a 28-13 edge on the glass prior to halftime and 48-31 for the game.
"Give them credit," UTEP head coach Tony Barbee said. "They played hard, they competed, they made big shots when we took the lead.
"They pounded us on the glass. We haven't had a team do that to us all year long."
D'walyn Roberts pulled down seven of Texas Tech's 19 offensive rebounds. The Red Raiders scored 20 second-chance points.
A 13-0 run spanning over the end of the first half and beginning of the second gave Texas Tech its largest lead of the afternoon at 39-28 with 19:44 to play. But UTEP battled back to take the lead, 53-52, on two free throws by Julyan Stone with 10:48 remaining.
Derrick Caracter scored eight straight points for the Miners as they extended their lead to 67-61 before Texas Tech took control in the final minutes.
Caracter scored 16 of his 21 points in the second half to lead UTEP. Randy Culpepper (16 points), Stone (12) and Arnett Moultrie (11) were also in double figures.
The Miners lost starting guard Christian Polk to five fouls with 9:20 remaining in the game.
"The was huge," Barbee said. "He's such a smart player for us and he does so much for our team, including making big plays. Not having him on the court hurt us."
Roberson scored 18 points, Mike Singletary 16, Roberts 15 and Tairu 15 for Texas Tech. Roberts had a double-double with 13 rebounds.
The Miners will tip-off the 16-game Conference USA slate at home against SMU (5-7) on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.
