Isaacs scores 20 as Texas Tech hits from deep to beat No. 11 Baylor in regular-season finale

LUBBOCK, Texas -- — Pop Isaacs scored 20 points, including the first of Texas Tech's four consecutive 3-pointers after No. 11 Baylor had taken its only lead after halftime, and the Red Raiders won their regular-season finale 78-68 on Saturday night.

The Red Raiders (22-9, 11-7 Big 12) had missed their first five 3s of the second half before Issacs connected with 7:03 left for a 56-54 lead. RayJ Dennis then made a tying layup for Baylor before Tech scored 11 points in a row, going ahead on a 3 by Darrion Williams that was the first of three long-range shots in just over a minute.

“We had some pretty decent looks, but just finally just broke the game open with getting stops and playing in transition,” Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland said. “And that’s been the mark of our team — when we make 3s in transition, we’re really tough to defend. So just thrilled the way the game finished.”

Williams had 16 points and 11 rebounds for his ninth double-double this season, even while playing most of the second half with four fouls as Isaacs did. Chance McMillian finished with 11 points off the bench.

Ja'Kobe Walter had 15 points for Baylor (22-9, 11-7), while Jayden Nunn scored 14 and Dennis added 12.

Both teams were already guaranteed top-four finishes in the Big 12 standings, so they get double-byes into the quarterfinal round of next week's conference tournament. Baylor will be the No. 3 seed in Kansas City, Missouri, while Texas Tech will be the No. 4 seed.

Walter's 3-pointer with 7:25 left was part of a 16-4 run that put the Bears ahead 54-53. But then Texas Tech made six field goals in a row, including consecutive transition 3s by Kerwin Walton.

“We did a great job coming back,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “Really credit Texas Tech for making some big shots.”

Baylor's only other lead was 2-0 after Walter made the first shot of the game. The Red Raiders then scored 16 points in a row, nine by Isaacs.

BIG PICTURE

Baylor: The Bears were trying for another big comeback, having trailed by 16 points with 16 minutes left. They beat Texas 93-85 on Monday night after trailing by 14, their biggest comeback win of the season. They also erased a 16-point halftime deficit against No. 1 Houston before falling in overtime.

“When you come out flat, the other team is going to make a run," Walter said. “That’s happened to us multiple times, but we’ve always fought back.”

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders finished 15-2 at home in McCasland's first season. They are 6-4 against Top 25 teams, and only Kansas has more such wins in the Big 12.

LOVE IS BACK

Baylor sophomore guard Langston Love returned after missing four games in a row, and seven of eight, because of an ankle injury. He had nine points and five rebounds while playing 22 minutes. Love made his first four field goal attempts, but missed the last three.

UNEXPECTED BOARDS

Texas Tech dominated on the glass, finishing with a 40-29 rebounding advantage. The Bears didn't have an offensive rebound before halftime, but did have seven after that.

“Really credit Tech for doing a great job blocking out,” Drew said. “I don’t know when the last time we had zero offensive rebounds in a half (was). I mean, I don’t know if it’s ever happened.”

UP NEXT

The Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, with Baylor and Texas Tech both playing in the quarterfinal round Thursday against opponents to be determined.

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