LAHAINA, Hawaii — Kevin Obanor scored 15 points and No. 21 Texas Tech held Louisville to its lowest point total in 74 years in a 70-38 victory in the Maui Invitational on Tuesday.
The Red Raiders (4-1) bounced back from their 76-65 loss to No. 10 Creighton on Monday with their most dominating defensive performance since holding Incarnate Word to 37 points in 2018.
Louisville (0-5) was held scoreless for more than 10 minutes spanning the halves. The Cardinals missed 13 field goals and two free throws and committed six turnovers during the drought.
When it started, Texas Tech led 20-13. When it ended with Sydney Curry’s layup, the Red Raiders were ahead 45-15.
The Cardinals’ 38 points were their fewest since a 62-34 loss to Xavier on Jan. 7, 1948.
Jaylon Tyson’s 3-pointer pushed the Red Raiders’ lead to double digits during a 17-2 spurt that ended with the Red Raiders ahead 32-13 at half.
The 13 first-half points were the fewest allowed by Texas Tech since Northwestern State scored 10 on Dec. 12, 2018. It was only the second time since the 2009-10 season that Louisville had scored so few points in a first half.
Of the 12 Texas Tech players who suited up, 11 scored, and the Red Raiders shot 43% for the game and made 14 steals.
El Ellis and Jae’Lyn Withers each scored seven points for the Cardinals, who were 11 of 49 from the field (27%) and finished with 18 turnovers.
Withers made a 3-pointer from the corner for the game’s first basket, and then the Cardinals missed seven straight shots over 7 1/2 minutes before Withers made a layup.
The Red Raiders, meanwhile, rolled off 11 straight points and took firm control in the last four minutes of the half.
BIG PICTURE
Texas Tech: Second-year coach Mark Adams has never lost back to back games with the Red Raiders, and this game was never in doubt. Tech’s trademark defense is in midseason form, having allowed 55 points or less in three of its first four games.
Louisville: The Cardinals’ worst start in 82 years continues under first-year coach Kenny Payne. They started 1940-41 with 11 straight losses.
UP NEXT
Texas Tech plays in the fifth place game Wednesday against the Ohio State-Cincinnati winner.
Louisville plays in the seventh—place game Wednesday against the Ohio-Cincinnati loser.
Find more Texas Tech coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
