LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith knew how big of a 3-pointer he got from sophomore guard Keenan Evans.
It helped lift the Red Raiders to an 85-82 overtime win over No. 14 Iowa State on Wednesday night.
“Knowing it was just 2 seconds (on the shot clock), a heck of a play to put us up by three,” Smith said.
“We needed something like that to happen. It’s happened against us a bit this year. Glad it was our turn.”
Zach Smith made two free throws with 18 seconds remaining in overtime to seal the win.
It was the second straight year the Red Raiders beat the Cyclones in Lubbock. Last season, Iowa State was ranked ninth.
Deonte Burton scored a season-high 20 points and Abdel Nader added 19 points to lead Iowa State (17-7, 6-5). Fans stormed the court after the victory.
Aaron Ross scored 20 points and Devaugntah Williams added 19 to lead Texas Tech (14-9, 4-7).
Iowa State built leads several times — in each half — only to watch the Red Raiders claw their way back. Two free throws by Smith in two separate trips to the free-throw line tied it at 78 at the end of regulation.
“We didn’t finish,” Cyclones coach Steve Prohm said. “We just didn’t finish in crucial times.”