KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) _ John Roberson scored 19 points, Nick
Okorie added 18 and Texas Tech overcame a sloppy start defensively
to open the Big 12 tournament with an 82-67 victory over Colorado
on Wednesday.
Texas Tech (17-14) has been plagued by shoddy defense since
reaching No. 16 in the polls midway through the season and started
off that way against Colorado. The ninth-seeded Red Raiders pulled
it together during a big first-half run and held on to end a
seven-game losing streak.
Texas Tech assured itself of a winning record to bolster its NIT
chances and keep alive its slim NCAA hopes. The Red Raiders move on
to face top-ranked Kansas in the quarterfinals Thursday.
Colorado (15-16) beat Texas Tech to end the regular season on a
three-game winning streak but became uncharacteristically careless
with the ball in the rematch, turning it over 19 times.