LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Davion Warren scored 15 points, and No. 25 Texas Tech rolled to a 75-53 victory over Alabama State in the final Big 12 tuneup for the Red Raiders on Tuesday.
Warren put Texas Tech (10-2) ahead for good on a 3-pointer midway through the first half, and Clarence Nadolny gave the Red Raiders their first 20-point lead on a layup midway through the second half.
The Red Raiders were supposed to open Big 12 play on New Year's Day at home against Oklahoma State, but COVID-19 issues in the Cowboys' program postponed the game to Jan. 13. The conference opener is now Jan. 5 at No. 8 Iowa State.
Gerald Liddell scored 15 points and Trace Young had 14 on 4-of-9 shooting from 3 for Alabama State (1-11), which dropped to 0-9 on the road with a second consecutive loss to a ranked Big 12 team in Texas. It was the Hornets' first meeting with Texas Tech.
Sardaar Calhoun hit consecutive 3-pointers — his only two shots of the game for all six of his points — to start a game-ending 12-2 run after Alabama State had cut a 20-point deficit to 12 with five minutes remaining.
Adonis Arms scored 11 points, with all four baskets coming on dunks, and Kevin McCullar had 11 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals for Texas Tech. Nadolny scored eight points.
BIG PICTURE
Alabama State: The back-to-back Big 12 losses in Texas followed a pair of games called off by COVID-19, at No. 5 UCLA and Memphis. Alabama State lost to 17th-ranked Texas 68-48 last week. Add a 68-60 loss to No. 8 Iowa State in November, and Alabama State is 0-3 against Big 12 teams in the Top 25.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders entered the game fourth nationally in rebounding margin at 12.9 per game and improved to 10-0 when winning the rebounding battle. It was closer than usual, though, with Texas Tech holding a 37-30 edge.
UP NEXT
Alabama State: The Southwestern Athletic Conference opener is Monday at Mississippi Valley State.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders have beaten Iowa State five consecutive times and haven't lost in Ames since Jan. 20, 2018.
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