Culver, stifling defense, lift Texas Tech over Buffalo 78-58
AP
Mar 24, 2019
TULSA, Okla. (AP) Texas Tech Red Raiders's dominant defense earned the Red Raiders a second consecutive trip to the Sweet 16.
Jarrett Culver had 16 points and 10 rebounds as the third-seeded Red Raiders shut down Buffalo Bulls 78-58 on Sunday night.
Norense Odiase had 14 points and 15 rebounds, both season highs, for Texas Tech (28-6). The Red Raiders have won 11 of their last 12 games and made it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history.
''I'm glad to be a part of it, making history like that,'' said Culver, who also had five assists and three blocked shots.
The Red Raiders broke the game open with a 27-3 run over six minutes that spanned both halves. They'll face No. 2 seed Michigan next in the West Regional semifinals.
Sixth-seeded Buffalo (32-4) had won 13 in a row and was averaging over 85 points per game - fifth-best in the nation. The Bulls shot 36.5 percent in scoring a season-low 58 points.
''Our offense was not where it needed to be,'' said Buffalo coach Nate Oats. ''We made some poor decisions. We turned the ball over on back-to-back possessions a few times. We had 18 straight possessions without scoring a field goal. That is the worse offensive performance of the year.''
It was a repeat strong performance for the Red Raider - they stifled potent Northern Kentucky in the first round with a 72-57 victory.
''We tried to keep them out of middle as much as we could, to make them take tough shots and keep them off the boards,'' said Texas Tech coach Chris Beard. ''I'm glad we were able to do that for 40 minutes. I've never been more proud of a team I coached.''
Nick Perkins had 17 points and 10 rebounds for Buffalo, his second straight double-double. The MAC champions for the fourth time in the last five seasons, the Bulls were the highest-ever seed for the conference since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985. Buffalo reached the NCAA second round for the second year in a row.
''Disappointed it ended like this, we wanted to go further,'' Oats said. ''We won't let one loss define (us). We had an unbelievably successful year beyond what anybody could imagine happening here at Buffalo.''
Leading scorer C.J. Massinburg, who averaged 18.3 points per game for the Bulls, had just two points in the first half and only four well into the second. He finished with 14, scoring 10 down the stretch when the game already was decided.
''It wasn't one thing in particular, just a credit to overall defense,'' Massinburg said of Texas Tech's defensive execution. ''And I feel like we did get some good looks but they just didn't drop for us.''
Buffalo took its only lead at 25-24 with 3:24 left in the opening half on Davonta Jordan's 3-pointer. Texas Tech responded by scoring the final nine points of the half and continued that dominance after the break.
''It was a big part of the game,'' Beard said of the turnaround. ''The end of the first half was big.''
Over the first 7 1/2 minutes of the second half, the Red Raiders outscored Buffalo 18-3 while the Bulls missed each of their first eight shots from the floor.
Texas Tech pushed its advantage to 62-33 when Brandone Francis' free throw capped off another 9-0 run with 9:15 remaining, and the Red Raiders managed to maintain at least a 20-point lead the rest of the way.
BIG PICTURE
Buffalo: The Bulls struggled at the beginning, falling behind 6-0 and 10-2, making just one of their first seven shots. Buffalo's deficit grew to 19-6 after the first nine minutes, and at that point, the Bulls were being outrebounded 15-3. But led by Perkins, who scored their first eight points and 11 of their first 16, they were able to finally find their footing, and climbed back into it with a 19-5 run over the next seven minutes.
Texas Tech: All five Red Raider starters scored double-digit points, with Davide Moretti and Matt Mooney each getting 11 and Tariq Owens scoring 10, along with seven rebounds. Owens and Odiase were a combined 8-for-8 from the floor.
TIP INS
After setting a Buffalo single-season school record with 636 points, Massinburg ended his career with 1,990 points, just 14 shy of all-time leading scorer Javon McRea (2010-14).
HE SAID IT
''We're not supposed to be here,'' Beard said. ''They picked us bottom of the Big 12 (in a pre-season poll) and we haven't gotten much respect this year, but these guys have continued to keep a chip on their shoulder and just realize that we can do a lot of things if we play as a team.''
UP NEXT
Texas Tech advanced to the Sweet 16 and will take on No. 2 seed Michigan in Anaheim on Thursday.
Copyright 2019 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
1st Half
BUF
Bulls
25
TXTCH
Red Raiders
33
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Buffalo
20:00
CJ Massinburg missed layup
19:58
Defensive rebound by Jarrett Culver
20:00
Traveling violation turnover on Jarrett Culver
19:28
Jayvon Graves missed layup
19:26
Defensive rebound by Norense Odiase
18:59
+2
Jarrett Culver made jump shot
0-2
18:45
Jeremy Harris missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:43
Defensive rebound by Norense Odiase
18:24
Matt Mooney missed jump shot
18:22
Offensive rebound by Tariq Owens
18:12
+2
Tariq Owens made jump shot, assist by Matt Mooney
0-4
17:47
Jeremy Harris missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:45
Defensive rebound by Jarrett Culver
17:25
Davide Moretti missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:23
Offensive rebound by Norense Odiase
17:15
Matt Mooney missed layup
17:13
Offensive rebound by Matt Mooney
17:13
Shooting foul on Montell McRae
17:11
+1
Norense Odiase made 1st of 2 free throws
0-5
17:11
+1
Norense Odiase made 2nd of 2 free throws
0-6
16:58
+2
Nick Perkins made layup, assist by CJ Massinburg
2-6
16:39
Matt Mooney missed layup
16:37
Offensive rebound by Norense Odiase
16:34
+2
Norense Odiase made layup
2-8
16:28
Personal foul on Davide Moretti
16:20
Nick Perkins missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:18
Offensive rebound by Dontay Caruthers
16:12
CJ Massinburg missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:10
Defensive rebound by Norense Odiase
15:35
+2
Jarrett Culver made layup
2-10
15:25
+2
Nick Perkins made layup, assist by Davonta Jordan
4-10
14:56
+2
Davide Moretti made jump shot, assist by Tariq Owens
4-12
14:49
Traveling violation turnover on Dontay Caruthers
14:25
+2
Brandone Francis made jump shot
4-14
13:53
Dontay Caruthers missed layup, blocked by Jarrett Culver
13:51
Defensive rebound by Davide Moretti
13:41
Lost ball turnover on Brandone Francis
13:28
Lost ball turnover on CJ Massinburg, stolen by Deshawn Corprew
13:10
Davide Moretti missed jump shot
13:08
Defensive rebound by Nick Perkins
12:53
+2
Nick Perkins made layup, assist by Jeremy Harris
6-14
12:37
Jarrett Culver missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:35
Offensive rebound by Norense Odiase
12:27
+2
Jarrett Culver made jump shot, assist by Davide Moretti
6-16
12:11
Shooting foul on Tariq Owens
12:11
Nick Perkins missed 1st of 2 free throws
12:11
Nick Perkins missed 2nd of 2 free throws
12:11
Defensive rebound by Jarrett Culver
11:53
Jarrett Culver missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:51
Defensive rebound by Jayvon Graves
11:27
Montell McRae missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:25
Defensive rebound by Matt Mooney
11:08
+3
Deshawn Corprew made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Kyler Edwards
6-19
10:56
+2
Nick Perkins made jump shot, assist by Jayvon Graves
8-19
10:42
Lost ball turnover on Matt Mooney, stolen by Dontay Caruthers
10:37
Personal foul on Deshawn Corprew
10:37
Lost ball turnover on Jeremy Harris
10:29
Lost ball turnover on Jarrett Culver, stolen by Davonta Jordan
10:20
+2
Davonta Jordan made layup
10-19
10:08
Brandone Francis missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:06
Offensive rebound by Deshawn Corprew
9:58
Davide Moretti missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:56
Offensive rebound by Norense Odiase
9:27
Brandone Francis missed layup
9:25
Defensive rebound by Nick Perkins
9:16
Bad pass turnover on Davonta Jordan, stolen by Brandone Francis
9:07
Shooting foul on Jayvon Graves
9:07
Norense Odiase missed 1st of 2 free throws
9:07
+1
Norense Odiase made 2nd of 2 free throws
10-20
8:56
Jeremy Harris missed layup
8:54
Defensive rebound by Norense Odiase
8:47
Lost ball turnover on Jarrett Culver, stolen by Nick Perkins
8:41
+2
Nick Perkins made dunk
12-20
8:27
Personal foul on Jeenathan Williams
8:10
Matt Mooney missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:08
Defensive rebound by Dontay Caruthers
7:58
+3
Davonta Jordan made 3-pt. jump shot
15-20
7:38
+2
Matt Mooney made layup
15-22
7:30
Shooting foul on Norense Odiase
7:30
+1
Nick Perkins made 1st of 2 free throws
16-22
7:30
Nick Perkins missed 2nd of 2 free throws
7:30
Offensive rebound by CJ Massinburg
7:10
Shooting foul on Brandone Francis
7:10
+1
Dontay Caruthers made 1st of 2 free throws
17-22
7:10
Dontay Caruthers missed 2nd of 2 free throws
7:10
Offensive rebound by Dontay Caruthers
7:10
Dontay Caruthers missed layup, blocked by Jarrett Culver
7:08
Defensive rebound by Matt Mooney
6:50
Bad pass turnover on Matt Mooney
6:33
Jeremy Harris missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:31
Defensive rebound by Jarrett Culver
6:22
Matt Mooney missed layup
6:20
Defensive rebound by Nick Perkins
6:20
Personal foul on Matt Mooney
6:11
Offensive foul on Nick Perkins
6:11
Turnover on Nick Perkins
5:59
Bad pass turnover on Matt Mooney
5:39
Dontay Caruthers missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:37
Offensive rebound by CJ Massinburg
5:34
Shooting foul on Deshawn Corprew
5:34
+1
CJ Massinburg made 1st of 2 free throws
18-22
5:34
+1
CJ Massinburg made 2nd of 2 free throws
19-22
5:19
Matt Mooney missed layup
5:17
Offensive rebound by Tariq Owens
5:14
+2
Tariq Owens made dunk
19-24
5:07
+3
Jeremy Harris made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Dontay Caruthers
22-24
4:33
Matt Mooney missed jump shot
4:31
Offensive rebound by Jarrett Culver
4:26
Jarrett Culver missed layup
4:24
Defensive rebound by Dontay Caruthers
4:16
Jeremy Harris missed jump shot
4:14
Offensive rebound by Jeremy Harris
4:07
CJ Massinburg missed layup
4:05
Defensive rebound by Brandone Francis
3:48
Personal foul on Jeremy Harris
3:48
Davide Moretti missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:46
Defensive rebound by CJ Massinburg
3:46
+3
Davonta Jordan made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jeremy Harris
25-24
3:00
+2
Tariq Owens made layup, assist by Jarrett Culver
25-26
3:00
Shooting foul on CJ Massinburg
3:00
Tariq Owens missed free throw
3:00
Defensive rebound by Nick Perkins
2:33
Davonta Jordan missed jump shot
2:31
Offensive rebound by Davonta Jordan
2:25
Lost ball turnover on Jeremy Harris, stolen by Brandone Francis
1:58
Personal foul on CJ Massinburg
1:58
+1
Davide Moretti made 1st of 2 free throws
25-27
1:58
+1
Davide Moretti made 2nd of 2 free throws
25-28
1:43
Bad pass turnover on Davonta Jordan, stolen by Matt Mooney
1:37
+3
Matt Mooney made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jarrett Culver
25-31
1:22
Personal foul on Jarrett Culver
1:22
Nick Perkins missed free throw
1:22
Defensive rebound by Norense Odiase
1:00
Jarrett Culver missed jump shot
58.0
Defensive rebound by Dontay Caruthers
35.0
Nick Perkins missed jump shot
33.0
Defensive rebound by Matt Mooney
6.0
Personal foul on Dontay Caruthers
6.0
+1
Jarrett Culver made 1st of 2 free throws
25-32
6.0
+1
Jarrett Culver made 2nd of 2 free throws
25-33
2.0
Bad pass turnover on Davonta Jordan, stolen by Matt Mooney
0.0
End of period
2nd Half
BUF
Bulls
33
TXTCH
Red Raiders
45
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:48
Bad pass turnover on Davide Moretti, stolen by Dontay Caruthers
19:38
Jeremy Harris missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:36
Defensive rebound by Davide Moretti
19:20
Matt Mooney missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:18
Offensive rebound by Norense Odiase
19:18
Personal foul on Dontay Caruthers
19:16
Jarrett Culver missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:14
Defensive rebound by CJ Massinburg
19:01
Shooting foul on Davide Moretti
19:01
+1
Davonta Jordan made 1st of 2 free throws
26-33
19:01
Davonta Jordan missed 2nd of 2 free throws
19:01
Defensive rebound by Norense Odiase
18:34
Shooting foul on Nick Perkins
18:38
+1
Matt Mooney made 1st of 2 free throws
26-34
18:38
+1
Matt Mooney made 2nd of 2 free throws
26-35
18:26
Offensive foul on Davonta Jordan
18:26
Turnover on Davonta Jordan
18:07
+2
Matt Mooney made layup
26-37
17:58
Davonta Jordan missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:56
Defensive rebound by Norense Odiase
17:39
+2
Norense Odiase made layup, assist by Jarrett Culver
26-39
17:39
Shooting foul on Dontay Caruthers
17:39
+1
Norense Odiase made free throw
26-40
17:23
Bad pass turnover on Davonta Jordan, stolen by Jarrett Culver
17:20
Lost ball turnover on Norense Odiase, stolen by Davonta Jordan
17:17
Shooting foul on Brandone Francis
17:17
+1
Davonta Jordan made 1st of 2 free throws
27-40
17:17
Davonta Jordan missed 2nd of 2 free throws
17:17
Offensive rebound by Nick Perkins
17:17
Offensive foul on Nick Perkins
17:17
Turnover on Nick Perkins
17:11
Personal foul on Davonta Jordan
17:05
Personal foul on Jayvon Graves
17:05
+1
Jarrett Culver made 1st of 2 free throws
27-41
17:05
Jarrett Culver missed 2nd of 2 free throws
17:05
Offensive rebound by Jarrett Culver
17:05
Jarrett Culver missed layup
17:03
Defensive rebound by Nick Perkins
16:57
Personal foul on Brandone Francis
16:47
Bad pass turnover on Jayvon Graves
16:29
Matt Mooney missed layup
16:27
Defensive rebound by Davonta Jordan
16:16
Shooting foul on Norense Odiase
16:16
+1
CJ Massinburg made 1st of 2 free throws
28-41
16:16
CJ Massinburg missed 2nd of 2 free throws
16:16
Defensive rebound by Jarrett Culver
15:46
+2
Davide Moretti made layup
28-43
15:37
Dontay Caruthers missed layup
15:35
Defensive rebound by Deshawn Corprew
15:23
+2
Matt Mooney made jump shot
28-45
15:06
CJ Massinburg missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:04
Defensive rebound by Tariq Owens
14:47
Personal foul on Dontay Caruthers
14:47
Jarrett Culver missed free throw
14:47
Defensive rebound by Jeremy Harris
14:33
CJ Massinburg missed layup
14:31
Defensive rebound by Jarrett Culver
14:11
+3
Jarrett Culver made 3-pt. jump shot
28-48
13:58
Jayvon Graves missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:56
Offensive rebound by Montell McRae
13:49
Davonta Jordan missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:47
Defensive rebound by Davide Moretti
13:44
Personal foul on Davonta Jordan
13:48
+1
Davide Moretti made 1st of 2 free throws
28-49
13:48
+1
Davide Moretti made 2nd of 2 free throws
28-50
13:40
Jeremy Harris missed jump shot
13:38
Defensive rebound by Tariq Owens
13:16
Offensive foul on Matt Mooney
13:16
Turnover on Matt Mooney
13:04
Jayvon Graves missed layup
13:02
Defensive rebound by Davide Moretti
12:41
Shooting foul on Jayvon Graves
12:41
+1
Davide Moretti made 1st of 2 free throws
28-51
12:41
Davide Moretti missed 2nd of 2 free throws
12:41
Defensive rebound by Jeenathan Williams
12:25
+2
Jeremy Harris made layup
30-51
11:59
+2
Norense Odiase made layup, assist by Jarrett Culver
30-53
11:44
+3
CJ Massinburg made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Davonta Jordan
33-53
11:24
Jarrett Culver missed jump shot
11:22
Offensive rebound by Norense Odiase
11:17
+3
Kyler Edwards made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Davide Moretti
33-56
11:04
Lost ball turnover on Davonta Jordan
10:38
+3
Kyler Edwards made 3-pt. jump shot
33-59
10:14
Nick Perkins missed layup
10:12
Defensive rebound by Tariq Owens
9:44
Matt Mooney missed jump shot
9:42
Offensive rebound by Norense Odiase
9:25
+2
Norense Odiase made layup
33-61
9:30
Jeremy Harris missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:28
Offensive rebound by Nick Perkins
9:26
Personal foul on Deshawn Corprew
9:19
Nick Perkins missed layup, blocked by Jarrett Culver
9:15
Defensive rebound by Brandone Francis
9:16
Personal foul on Dontay Caruthers
9:16
+1
Brandone Francis made 1st of 2 free throws
33-62
9:16
Brandone Francis missed 2nd of 2 free throws
9:16
Offensive rebound by Deshawn Corprew
9:04
Brandone Francis missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:02
Defensive rebound by Nick Perkins
8:53
+3
Nick Perkins made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by CJ Massinburg
36-62
8:32
+2
Davide Moretti made layup, assist by Jarrett Culver
36-64
8:16
+3
CJ Massinburg made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jeremy Harris
39-64
7:55
+2
Deshawn Corprew made layup
39-66
7:40
+3
CJ Massinburg made 3-pt. jump shot
42-66
7:21
Jarrett Culver missed layup, blocked by CJ Massinburg
7:19
Defensive rebound by Jeremy Harris
7:08
Lost ball turnover on CJ Massinburg, stolen by Jarrett Culver
7:02
+2
Jarrett Culver made layup
42-68
6:42
Offensive foul on Nick Perkins
6:42
Turnover on Nick Perkins
6:18
+2
Jarrett Culver made jump shot, assist by Norense Odiase
42-70
6:02
CJ Massinburg missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:00
Offensive rebound by Jayvon Graves
6:01
Personal foul on Tariq Owens
6:01
+1
Jayvon Graves made 1st of 2 free throws
43-70
6:01
Jayvon Graves missed 2nd of 2 free throws
6:01
Offensive rebound by Jayvon Graves
5:56
CJ Massinburg missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:54
Offensive rebound by Nick Perkins
5:53
Personal foul on Davide Moretti
5:53
+1
Nick Perkins made 1st of 2 free throws
44-70
5:53
Nick Perkins missed 2nd of 2 free throws
5:53
Defensive rebound by Tariq Owens
5:23
Jarrett Culver missed jump shot
5:21
Defensive rebound by Nick Perkins
5:15
Jeremy Harris missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:13
Defensive rebound by Tariq Owens
5:13
Personal foul on Davonta Jordan
5:13
+1
Tariq Owens made 1st of 2 free throws
43-72
5:13
+1
Tariq Owens made 2nd of 2 free throws
43-73
5:01
+2
Nick Perkins made layup
45-73
4:35
Lost ball turnover on Matt Mooney, stolen by Jeremy Harris
4:27
+2
CJ Massinburg made dunk, assist by Jeremy Harris
47-73
4:07
Bad pass turnover on Jarrett Culver
4:00
CJ Massinburg missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:58
Defensive rebound by Norense Odiase
3:58
Personal foul on Montell McRae
3:58
+1
Norense Odiase made 1st of 2 free throws
48-73
3:58
+1
Norense Odiase made 2nd of 2 free throws
48-74
3:41
+2
Jeremy Harris made layup
50-74
3:20
+2
Tariq Owens made layup, assist by Jarrett Culver
50-76
3:12
Jeremy Harris missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:10
Defensive rebound by Jarrett Culver
2:42
Jarrett Culver missed layup
2:40
Offensive rebound by Jarrett Culver
2:32
Jarrett Culver missed layup
2:30
Defensive rebound by Jeremy Harris
2:26
+3
Montell McRae made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jeremy Harris
53-76
1:48
Lost ball turnover on Jarrett Culver, stolen by CJ Massinburg
1:48
Personal foul on Jarrett Culver
1:48
CJ Massinburg missed free throw
1:48
Defensive rebound by Brandone Francis
1:26
+2
Brandone Francis made layup
53-78
1:16
+3
Davonta Jordan made 3-pt. jump shot
56-78
48.0
Matt Mooney missed 3-pt. jump shot
46.0
Defensive rebound by Jeremy Harris
46.0
Personal foul on Deshawn Corprew
46.0
+1
Jeremy Harris made 1st of 2 free throws
57-78
46.0
+1
Jeremy Harris made 2nd of 2 free throws
58-78
20.0
Traveling violation turnover on Parker Hicks
14.0
Bad pass turnover on Ronaldo Segu, stolen by Avery Benson