Red Raiders Hold Off Fighting Illini 84-78 for Third Win

Davis Leads No. 16 Texas Tech Past No. 3 Illinois

Cruz Davis scored 20 points to lead the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders to an 84-78 victory over the No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini on Tuesday. The win improved Texas Tech’s record to 3-0, while Illinois dropped to 2-1. The game was played at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas, in front of a crowd of 15,098.

Early Lead, Late Surge

The Fighting Illini opened the game with a 29-29 tie heading into the halftime break. However, Texas Tech took control in the second half, outscoring Illinois 55-49 in the final 20 minutes. The Red Raiders built a decisive lead late in the game, holding on to secure the win.

Cruz Davis added five assists to his scoring effort, while Jamichael Stillwell contributed a team-high 13 rebounds.

Illinois Fight Back

Illinois’ Quentin Coleman led the visitors with 19 points and four assists. Tomislav Ivisic added six rebounds for the Fighting Illini. Despite a strong effort from the Illinois roster, the Red Raiders’ home-court advantage proved decisive.

Texas Tech has now won its last four nonconference home games, extending its current streak. The Red Raiders’ 3-0 start reflects their strong performance in recent matchups, while Illinois’ 2-1 record shows a team still finding its rhythm on the road.

Final Score and Records

The final score stood at 84-78 in favor of Texas Tech. The Red Raiders finished the game with a 3-0 record, while the Fighting Illini ended at 2-1. The game featured key contributions from both teams, with Davis and Coleman serving as the primary scorers.

The victory marks a significant step for Texas Tech in their nonconference schedule, while Illinois looks to bounce back in their next outing.

Sources

ESPN