Everyone knows that the Big 12 is a league that is tough from the top to the bottom. In this game, it proved that it meant all the way to the very bottom.

From the tip-off, Iowa State got a fast start. Senior Guard Bryce Dejean-Jones led them to their quick start, putting in a layup and a dunk in the opening minutes, and even getting an assist to a three pointer to Junior Guard Naz Long to help get the Cyclones off to an early 7-3 lead.

The Red Raiders though were getting back in the game quickly though as Senior Guard Robert Turner hitting two three pointers, both assisted by Freshman Guard Devaugntah Williams. This helped tie the game up at 8-8. Not too much later, Junior Guard Toddrick Gotcher came into the game and quickly got the hot hand. He made three straight three pointers to take a 17-8 lead, and they just came running from there. Just a few minutes later they were able to keep going and had a 29-10 lead. But Sophomore Cyclone Guard Matt Thomas made two three pointers right before the half to cut the deficit down to 36-25, and the Red Raiders had a completely unexpected first half lead to end the half.

The Red Raiders kept a decent lead for the first ten minutes of the second half. Devaugntah Williams hit a couple of three pointers, and at the 8 minute TV timeout the Red Raiders still held a 60-45 lead. Monte Morris and Georges Niang led the Cyclone charge back into the game in the final few minutes. Monte Morris hit a three pointer, assisted on a Jameel McKay dunk, and hit a jumper to help cut the deficit down to 67-60 with less than four minutes in the game. Niang hit the key three pointer that brought the game to a 3 point margin with 43 seconds remaining. But Robert Turner, Toddrick Gotcher, and Devaugntah Williams each hit two free throws a piece to make Texas Tech 6-6 from the line in the final minute.

Statistical Leaders:

Points: Devaugntah Williams of Texas Tech, 22 points

Rebounds: Robert Turner of Texas Tech and Jameel McKay of Iowa State, 10 rebounds

Steals: Monte Morris of Iowa State, 3 steals

Difference Maker: Toddrick Gotcher of Texas Tech, 17 points off the bench, 5-9 from three, 2 free throws.

Player of the Game: Devaugntah Williams of Texas Tech with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 9-11 from the charity stripe, and 2 assists.

Next Games:

The next game for the Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-9, 1-6) is a visit to the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma to face the Oklahoma Sooners (12-7, 3-4) on Wednesday, January 28. Next up for the Iowa State Cyclones (14-4, 4-2) is a trip back to Ames, Iowa to the Hilton Coliseum to face the Texas Longhorns (14-5, 3-3) who are looking to bounce back after losing to the Kansas Jayhawks. They will play on Monday, January 26.