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Culver scores 16, Texas Tech rolls past Incarnate Word 87-37
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Jarrett Culver scored 16 points, Matt Mooney had 12 points and six assists and Texas Tech opened the encore to the school's first Elite Eight season with an 87-37 victory over Incarnate Word on Tuesday night.
The Red Raiders outscored the Cardinals 48-7 in the second half, holding Incarnate Word to 10 percent shooting (3 of 30) after halftime.
Texas Tech has work to do trying to replace steady senior leader Keenan Evans and Zhaire Smith, who turned pro as a freshman, after helping the Red Raiders reach the regional finals before losing to national champion Villanova.
The opener showed they'll probably lean on depth, much like last season. Brandone Francis, one of coach Chris Beard's key reserves during a 27-win season, had 13 points, five rebounds and three steals. Freshman Kyle Edwards debuted with 10 points.
Antoine Smith scored 16 points for Incarnate Word, with two of his team's seven second-half points. Morgan Taylor and Jordan Caruso were the only other Cardinals with baskets after halftime. Incarnate Word shot 27 percent for the game and had 29 turnovers.
Culver, a sophomore from Lubbock expected to step into a leading role without Evans and Smith, was 6 of 10 from the field — matching the team's 60 percent shooting for the game — and had four assists. He was 2 of 4 from 3-point range.
BIG PICTURE
Incarnate Word: The Cardinals can be proud of the first 16 minutes. Charles Brown hit a jumper to get them within 28-24 with four minutes left in the first half before the Red Raiders scored the next eight points.
Texas Tech: While the 39-30 halftime score won't please Beard, the 50-point margin will. And the Red Raiders never really were in danger after scoring the game's first nine points. Then they had a pair of 15-0 runs after halftime.
UP NEXT
Incarnate Word: Home opener in San Antonio against St. Francis-Illinois on Friday.
Texas Tech: Mississippi Valley State at home Friday.
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