Texas Tech fans packed into rival Texas ‘ home arena.
They lustily booed «The Eyes of Texas» song from the rafters. They chanted «De-fense» on …
Texas Tech fans packed into rival Texas ‘ home arena. They lustily booed «The Eyes of Texas» song from the rafters. They chanted «De-fense» on every crucial possession. They howled when the Longhorns launched a late air ball. And then the No.11 Red Raiders players strutted out of the building with a 61-55 win Saturday, made all the sweeter given how this old rivalry that once sat on a low simmer has boiled over this season. Bryson Williams scored 17 points and Texas Tech held off a late charge by the No.20 Longhorns to get the victory and sweep the regular-season series. The win earned the Red Raiders (21-6,10-4 Big 12) and their fans another hearty jab against Texas coach Chris Beard, who led Texas Tech for five years and took them to the brink of a national championship in 2019, only to leave for his alma mater this season. Beard’s bolt from a campus that had embraced him left hard feelings in Lubbock, and the Red Raiders fans in the building loudly booed whenever his face appeared on the arena video board. «With all the respect I got for them, that was personal,» said Red Raiders guard Clarence Nadolny, who scored 14 points. «You don’t want to lose to the guy that left you.» Texas Tech led by 10 with just over 3 minutes to play before Texas closed to within 56-55 after a 9-0 run.
