 and made its first four field goals in the game, but only after the early turnovers while Houston Baptist (0-3) jumped out to a 9-0 lead in just over two minutes. After the timeout, the Red Raiders' fourth field goal was a layup by Ramsey that tied the game 9-9 with 16:18 left, and they went ahead to stay on a 3-pointer by Edwards.''Just reminded the guys with our truth-telling culture, `This is where we're at. This is where we have to go.' I think on the flip side to that there's some positive, though, to respond that quickly,'' Beard said. ''As disappointed as we were in our start, we were positive on the fact that we showed that bounce-back.'' Ramsey had 20 of his points by halftime, when Texas Tech led 54-39.PERMIAN STRONGThe game was played inside Midland College's Chaparral Center, marking Texas Tech's first regular season game in the Permian Basin since 1951.Texas Tech players wore ''Permian Basin Strong'' shirts during pregame warmups prior to tipoff to honor and remember those affected by an August 31 shooting spree.A gunman killed seven people and injured about two dozen more while firing indiscriminately from his car into passing vehicles and shopping plazas in Odessa and Midland, the two biggest cities in the Permian Basin. The shooter, who was killed by officers, also hijacked a U. S. Postal Service mail truck, killing the driver.''We were really pleased and proud that we put this game together,'' Beard said. ''To play this game in Midland for the Permian Basin fans is special.'' BIG ASSISTChris Clarke, the other grad transfer, had four points and nine assists and seems to be filling the role as Tech's sixth man.''He's a skilled player. He's a position-less basketball player,'' Beard said. ''He's just an unselfish guy. He's a guy who's trying to win the possession. ... There will be days sooner rather than later where he's our leading scorer as well. He's a guy that can play the game.'' BIG PICTUREHouston Baptist: The aggressiveness by Houston Baptist inside the paint forced the Red Raiders into foul trouble. The winless Huskies playing tough opponents early on will help them down the road in the Southland Conference.Texas Tech: The Red Raiders' defense was put to the test against the Huskies, who made their first four shots. Quick adjustments and getting their legs underneath them on offense helped lead them to victory. The Red Raiders did score 56 points in the paint.UP NEXTHouston Baptist plays the third of six consecutive games away from campus to start the season, Nov. 22 at Michigan.Texas Tech is back home Nov. 21 against Tennessee State.---More college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/-Top25)
Nov 11, 2019Texas Tech's influx of talent following its run to the national championship game in April includes two of the best graduate transfers in the Big 12 -- wing Chris Clarke from Virginia Tech and power forward TJ Holyfield from Stephen F. Austin.Each made an impact on the 13th-ranked Red Raiders in Saturday's 79-44 win over Bethune-Cookman, and they will look for more Wednesday night against Houston Baptist in a neutral-court game in Midland, Texas.Holyfield led Texas Tech (2-0) with 20 points, and Clarke had eight rebounds in the win over Bethune-Cookman.Texas Tech coach Chris Beard, who also has one of the best freshmen in the nation with Jahmi'us Ramsey, said Holyfield and Clarke are showing what he expected when they announced their transfers to his program."It's early, but I'm proud of those guys," Beard said."Starting with Chris, I think he's doing a great job letting the game come to him. To me, he plays like a pro out there. He's not chasing baskets or stats, he's just playing. He's been a calming influence and is getting a lot of people involved. I think he's got a chance to be one of the best passers I've ever coached."Holyfield has had two impressive games in terms of the stat sheet, but equally important is the leadership he's bringing. (Against Bethune-Cookman) is the first night I got a piece of him a little bit, and I coached him hard. I thought he responded. I told him after the game, 'I'm enjoying coaching you right now.' Those two seniors are off to great starts for us. We're not 2-0 without those guys." Holyfield is averaging 17.5 points a game while shooting 78.9 percent (15 of 19) after the first two games. Clarke is not called upon for his scoring (only four points in the first two games) but he is averaging 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.Ramsey, a 6-foot-4 guard, averaged 16 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in his first two college games.Houston Baptist (0-2) is led by senior guard Jalon Gates, who scored 25 points while connecting on 6 of 13 shots from 3-point range in the 95-81 loss at Oral Roberts last Friday. Gates has 158 3-pointers in his career, tying him for fourth in program history.Ian DuBose, a 6-4 junior guard who lost 15 pounds in the offseason to get to 210, is averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds after the first two games. He had 20 points and 10 rebounds in Houston Baptist's 80-72 loss at Tulsa last week in the season opener."(Dubose) can handle the ball against pressure, he can get to the rim and finish. He can shoot from the perimeter," said Houston Baptist coach Ron Cottrell.Cottrell is the sixth-longest tenured coach among active NCAA Division I coaches, in his 28th season with a record of 475-391.--Field Level Media
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