Colorado was unable to overcome a strong performance by No. 16 Texas Tech, falling 78-44 on Wednesday night at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock. The loss drops the Buffaloes to 14-11 overall and 4-8 in Big 12 play, while Texas Tech improves to 18-6 and 8-3 in conference.
“Texas Tech has a motto with their program, that the toughest team wins,” said Colorado head coach Tad Boyle. “There wasn’t any question who the tougher team was tonight, and that was that was Texas Tech, and we weren’t.”
The Buffaloes trailed by as many as 16 points early in the first half but managed to cut the deficit to eight after Ian Inman scored 12 points—all from three-point range—setting a new career high. However, Texas Tech regained control early in the second half, extending its lead beyond 20 points as Colorado struggled with rebounding.
Freshman Isaiah Johnson led Colorado with 13 points. Inman finished with his career-high of 12 points on four three-pointers—all scored in the first half.
For Texas Tech, Donovan Atwell led all scorers with 20 points and six three-pointers. JT Toppin contributed a double-double with 16 points and an impressive 18 rebounds.
Colorado shot just 29 percent from the field (16-for-55) and made only six of their twenty-five attempts from beyond the arc. The Red Raiders shot at a higher rate—45 percent (28-for-62)—and dominated on the boards with a total of 47 rebounds compared to Colorado’s 30. Notably, Texas Tech held a decisive advantage in second-chance points at 21-0.
“It was 13 to zero at halftime on second-chance points, 13 to zero,” Boyle commented. “When you can’t make a shot, maybe you can go get an offensive rebound and get a put back. But we’re not tough enough to do that and Texas Tech is.”
Texas Tech also outscored Colorado in the paint by ten (24-14) and blocked nine shots during the game.
The contest began quickly, with both teams committing several turnovers early on. After falling behind by double digits due to missed shots, Colorado found some momentum through Inman’s shooting but could not close the gap for long.
By halftime, Texas Tech had turned nine offensive rebounds into thirteen points while blocking six shots and hitting eight three-pointers. Despite forcing eight turnovers for ten points themselves, Colorado trailed by seventeen at intermission.
In the second half, Texas Tech opened with an eleven-to-one run that effectively put the game out of reach for Colorado. The Red Raiders continued their dominance throughout, eventually building their lead up to thirty before closing out the win.
Colorado will look to rebound when they travel next to face No. 22 BYU on Saturday, February 14th in Provo, Utah at 2 p.m., with coverage available on FS1.
