Isaacs scores 21 to lead Texas Tech over No. 20 Texas 78-67, a day after assault lawsuit
AP
Jan 07, 2024
AUSTIN, Texas Longhorns (AP) Pop Isaacs scored 21 points to lead Texas Tech Red Raiders to an 78-67 Big 12-opening win over No. 20 Texas on Saturday night, a day after he was named in a lawsuit alleging sexual assault of a minor.
Isaacs was booed by Texas fans whenever he touched the ball, and at one point put his fingers to his lips after a 3-pointer to shush them. Isaacs, the Red Raiders’ leading scorer this season, scored six of Texas Tech's final nine points to close out the victory.
School officials said in a statement Friday night that he remains in “good standing” and can keep playing despite being named in the civil lawsuit that alleged the assault of a 17-year-old girl during the team’s trip to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis in November. The age of consent in the Bahamas is 16, but the lawsuit says the girl was intoxicated and could not give consent.
The lawsuit filed in Lubbock County was first reported by ESPN.
Texas Tech officials said Friday the school is conducting its own investigation of the claims through its Title IX office. Police in the Bahamas did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press on Saturday night.
Isaacs was not brought to the postgame news conference, and first-year Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland declined further comment on the decision to keep playing him.
“The statement that was made by the university is the one that I'm going to stand by. We're committed to that,” McCasland said.
The lawsuit said McCasland and school officials were first told of the alleged assault on Dec. 14. Isaacs has played in five games since then.
Texas Tech's Warren Washington, who scored 15 points, said the team stayed focused on the game amid the news of the lawsuit.
“We're a family. We had one goal in mind and that was to win. We weren't thinking about anything else,” Washington said.
Texas Tech (12-2, 1-0) led 69-63 before Isaacs started the final burst with a driving layup, Chance McMillian dunked to stretch the lead to 10, and Isaacs scored again.
Red Raiders fans started chanting “Raider Power” in what may be their last chance on their Big 12 rival's home court. Texas leaves the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference next season.
“For us it's about winning a Big 12 championship,” McCasland said. “You’ve got to win road games and win all your home games.”
Tyrese Hunter scored 20 points to lead Texas (11-3, 0-1).
“This is the Big 12. Every game is going to be a dog fight,” Hunter said. “We have to keep fighting and playing defense to get ourselves out of it.”
BIG PICTURE
Texas Tech: How the school handles the lawsuit against Isaacs and the school's decision to keep playing him amid its own investigation will continue to hang over the program as long as he remains on the court or the case is resolved. And it will be a challenge for McCasland to navigate in his first year leading a major-college program.
Texas: Guard Max Abmas continues his march through the NCAA record book as he passed Duke's J.J. Redick for fifth in career 3-pointers. The graduate student transfer from Oral Roberts made four and has 460 for his career.
JOURNEYMAN JOE
Texas Tech's Joe Toussaint provided the spark the Red Raiders needed in the first half with 13 points, including 10 in a burst when Texas Tech took its first lead. Toussaint spent three years playing at Iowa and last season at West Virginia before heading to Texas Tech. He finished with 15 points and five assists.
UP NEXT
Texas Tech hosts Oklahoma State on Tuesday night.
Texas plays at Big 12 newcomer Cincinnati on Tuesday night.
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1st Half
TXTCH
Red Raiders
37
TEX
Longhorns
33
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Warren Washington vs. Kadin Shedrick (Longhorns gains possession)
19:36
+2
Tyrese Hunter makes two point jump shot
0-2
19:22
Tyrese Hunter personal foul (Pop Isaacs draws the foul)
19:05
Pop Isaacs misses two point layup
19:03
Dillon Mitchell defensive rebound
18:50
Max Abmas misses two point jump shot
18:48
Joe Toussaint defensive rebound
18:34
Pop Isaacs misses two point layup
18:32
Red Raiders offensive rebound
18:32
Jump ball. (Red Raiders gains possession)
18:32
+3
Pop Isaacs makes three point jump shot (Darrion Williams assists)
3-2
18:11
Tyrese Hunter misses two point jump shot
18:09
Pop Isaacs defensive rebound
17:58
Kerwin Walton misses three point jump shot
17:56
Max Abmas defensive rebound
17:45
+3
Max Abmas makes three point jump shot (Dillon Mitchell assists)
3-5
17:26
Joe Toussaint misses three point jump shot
17:24
Longhorns defensive rebound
17:01
Kadin Shedrick misses two point jump shot
16:59
Brock Cunningham offensive rebound
16:52
Max Abmas misses three point jump shot
16:50
Longhorns offensive rebound
16:34
+2
Dillon Mitchell makes two point jump shot
3-7
16:17
Darrion Williams misses two point jump shot
16:15
Tyrese Hunter defensive rebound
16:03
Kadin Shedrick misses two point jump shot
16:01
Joe Toussaint defensive rebound
15:55
+2
Joe Toussaint makes two point layup
5-7
15:36
Kadin Shedrick offensive foul (Robert Jennings draws the foul)
15:36
Kadin Shedrick turnover (offensive foul)
15:36
TV timeout
15:10
Dylan Disu shooting foul (Lamar Washington draws the foul)
15:10
Lamar Washington misses regular free throw 1 of 2
15:10
+1
Lamar Washington makes regular free throw 2 of 2
6-7
14:50
Dillon Mitchell misses two point jump shot
14:46
Red Raiders defensive rebound
14:26
Joe Toussaint turnover (lost ball) (Dylan Disu steals)
14:21
+2
Dylan Disu makes two point layup (Dillon Mitchell assists)
6-9
14:21
Chance McMillian shooting foul (Dylan Disu draws the foul)
14:21
+1
Dylan Disu makes regular free throw 1 of 1
6-10
13:58
Lamar Washington misses two point layup
13:56
Dylan Disu defensive rebound
13:51
Kerwin Walton shooting foul (Max Abmas draws the foul)