LUBBOCK, Texas– Anthony Livingston’s 3-pointer with six seconds left powered Texas Tech past No.7 West Virginia University in overtime Tuesday night at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas.
Zach Smith tallied 15 points. Niem Stevenson had 13 and Livingston added 12 for the Red Raiders (12-2, Big 12 1-1).
Esa Ahmad led the Mountaineers (12-2, 1-1) with 13 points, all of which came in the first half. Jevon Carter had 11. Nathan Adrian and Lamont West both added 10 points.
Texas Tech was able to stop WVU’s pressure defense. The Mountaineers forced just 13 turnovers while committing 14.
One of the biggest stories of the night was the abysmal job WVU did at the free throw line. The Mountaineers made just 13-of-24 from the line and missed six in the overtime session.
The two teams exchanged leads 21 times.
Stevenson drained a 3-pointer to give the Red Raiders the lead. Adrian made one free throw before Phillip hit a 3 to put WVU ahead 76-74 with 33 seconds left.
But a wide-open Livingston sunk the game-winning shot.
Justin Gray gave Texas Tech a 67-62 lead with 2:20 left and things were looking bleak for the Mountaineers.
But West made two free throws and then Adrian hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation for the Mountaineers to tie the game at 67 and force overtime.
Ahmad received a lob pass from Carter and finds the basket to give the Mountaineers a 37-34 lead at the half.
WVU had a 32-29 advantage on the glass.
The Mountaineers shot 47 percent from the field and made 7-of-21 from beyond the arc.
The Red Raiders shot 51 percent from the floor, 54 percent from 3-point range and made 20-of-30 from the charity stripe.
The win is the first regular season win for Texas Tech over WVU since the Mountaineers joined the conference in 2012.
WVU returns home on Saturday to take on TCU. Tipoff is at 1 p.m.
Cover Photo Credit: Kelsie LeRose, BGS
