Texas Tech battled back for a late lead but couldn’t hold off West Virginia in a 66-63 loss in the semifinals of the Big 12 Championships in Kansas City.
Jarrett Culver capped a 9-0 run with 4:15 remaining to put the 14th-ranked Red Raiders up 57-56 but struggles from the free throw line ultimately doomed Texas Tech.
Keenan Evans was 3-for-8 from the line and the team was 11-for-21 on the night.
Niem Stevenson gave Texas Tech a 15-6 lead early in the first have but the Red Raiders went more than five minutes without a field goal allowing West Virginia to tie the game at 15.
A second scoring drought allowed the Mountaineers to take a 27-26 lead into the half.
Brandone Francis’ rebound putback with 14:32 remaining tied the game at 35.
West Virginia’s Jevon Carter responded with three straight three pointers to push the Mountaineers lead to five, 44-39.
Carter scored 17 points in the win.
Culver led the Red Raiders with 16 points in the loss.
Texas Tech now returns to Lubbock for the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday.
