Unbeaten Texas Tech takes a step up in competition Thursday when it battles with Saint Joseph’s as part of the Legends Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The Red Raiders (4-0) have pummeled their opponents by 33, 21, 47 and 34 points thus far. They rolled over Arkansas-Pine Bluff 98-64 on Monday with Darrion Williams (19 points) and JT Toppin (14 points, 11 rebounds) leading the way.
Elijah Hawkins dished out 11 assists to go along with 10 points and five steals as Texas Tech finished with 30 assists on 37 made baskets.
“If you’re quarterbacking a team, this is a fun one to quarterback,” Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland said. “You’ve got so many options. The key is just don’t try to do too much. Just try to make sure to take what the defense gives you and live to fight another day.”
Texas Tech is shooting 58.0 percent as a team and 45.1 percent from 3-point range in its first four contests while averaging 93.5 points per game. Toppin is the team’s top scorer at 20.5 points per game.
After splitting its first two contests, Saint Joseph’s (3-1) has posted a pair of wins against Big 5 competition, which pits the Philadelphia area schools against each other. First, the Hawks disposed of Villanova 83-76 and then they took down Penn on Friday, 86-69.
Rasheer Fleming scored 19 points against the Wildcats and 15 versus the Quakers. He was one of five double-digit scorers against Penn, as St. Joe’s delivered a well-rounded performance. The Hawks shot 38.5 percent from 3-point range against the Quakers, dominated the boards 43-26, and forced 13 turnovers while only committing 10 fouls.
“These things sharpen iron,” Hawks coach Billy Lange said in reference to the local rivalries. “This week sharpened us, and that’s what the Big 5 does.”
The winner will take on either Syracuse or Texas on Friday.
–Field Level Media
