Red Raiders Extend Streak: Illinois Falls Short in Lubbock

Cruz Davis scored 13 of his 20 points in the first half, helping No. 16 Texas Tech build a lead that No. 3 Illinois could not overcome. The Red Raiders won 84-78 on Tuesday night, extending their nonconference home winning streak to 49 games.

Texas Tech has won 26 straight nonconference home games under coach Grant McCasland. Since December 2013, the team is 103-1 in such contests. The only loss in that span came on January 25, 2020, a 76-74 overtime defeat to No. 15 Kentucky.

Jamichael Stillwell made his season debut with 11 points and 13 rebounds. The UCF transfer became eligible after receiving a temporary restraining order last week. He helped Texas Tech hold a 43-32 advantage on the boards against a strong rebounding opponent. The Red Raiders remain without JT Toppin, who is recovering from an ACL tear in his right knee sustained last February.

Illinois trailed by 22 points late in the first half but cut the deficit to one point in the second half. Andrej Stojakovic scored 14 of his 18 points during that stretch. Freshman Quinten Coleman led the Illini with 19 points, including two late three-pointers that kept the game close until the final minute.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn scored 15 points for Texas Tech before leaving the court with an apparent lower-body injury. In the closing minutes, Stojakovic’s layup put Illinois within 65-64 with 5 1/2 minutes remaining. Damarion Dennis answered with a three-pointer. The Illini never took the lead again.

Illinois hosts Sam Houston State on Friday. Texas Tech plays Stonehill at home on Saturday.