Kevin McCullar scored a team-high 24 points, Bryson Williams contributed 16 points and both players hauled in nine rebounds to lead Texas Tech to an 88-62 win against visiting Grambling State on Friday night at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas.
Davion Warren had 19 points for the Red Raiders, who shot 45.9 percent while going 22-of-29 from the free-throw line.
Grambling State’s Danya Kingsby had 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 3-for-4 accuracy from long range. The Tigers shot 47.6 percent from the floor but were unable to overcome 24 turnovers and the Red Raiders’ second-half surge.
A Kingsby transition layup off a turnover pulled the Tigers within 48-41 with 13:39 left. That’s when Texas Tech responded, going on a 9-0 run that included a dunk and jumper from Williams and a trey from Kevin Obanor.
The Red Raiders’ second-half advantage swelled to as many as 28 points down the stretch as the team won for the second time in as many tries under new coach Mark Adams.
Grambling State was outrebounded 41-23. Shawndarius Cowart was the team’s second-leading scorer with nine points and paced the Tigers with five rebounds.
Tra’Michael Moton dished three assists to lead the Tigers.
The Tigers trailed by 11 with 6:17 to play before halftime, but five straight Kingsby points trimmed the deficit to six. The Red Raiders seized control to close the half, taking a 44-31 lead into the break.
A strong start proved a good omen for Williams, who scored the Red Raiders’ first six points in the opening 2:06.
Texas Tech never trailed while improving to 4-0 against Grambling State all-time, with each meeting coming in Lubbock. The Red Raiders routed the Tigers 81-40 on Dec. 6 of last season.
–Field Level Media
