Williams’ perfect night secures win
LUBBOCK — Darrion Williams had a perfect night for Texas Tech, and the Red Raiders never trailed in a lopsided victory over sixth-ranked Kansas.
Williams scored a career-high 30 points on 12of-12 shooting, including four 3-pointers. He also made both of his free throws and had 11 rebounds in Texas Tech's 79-50 win Monday night.
“Give him credit because (of ) his work habits and his belief in this team. … I do believe the game rewards those people that play it to win,” Red Raiders coach Grant Mccasland said. “What an awesome combination he was tonight of scoring and facilitating and rebounding and just winning.”
The 12 field goals without a miss were the most ever for a Texas Tech player. Williams, a sophomore transfer from Nevada, was also the first NCAA player in the last 25 seasons with 30 points, 10 rebounds and a perfect shooting percentage against a ranked opponent, according to ESPN Stats.
Williams hit a 3 on the first shot of the game for the Red Raiders (18-6, 7-4 Big 12). They made eight of their 12 attempts from long range over the first 13 minutes to jump ahead 27-14.
It was a frustrating night for Kansas (19-6, 7-5), which played its second game in a row without Big 12 leading scorer Kevin Mccullar Jr. and with guard Dajuan Harris not at full strength after rolling his left ankle late in a 64-61 home win over 12th-ranked Baylor two days earlier.
“We're beat up and tired right now,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said.
Self was ejected for the first time in 21 seasons at Kansas with 5:49 remaining after getting two technical fouls following an offensive foul call against Hunter Dickinson, though that wasn't the only thing that bothered the coach.
“I didn't curse him, I didn't yell. But I did say a magic word, I guess, multiple times that got me a couple of technicals. I really wasn't trying to get thrown out,” Self said. “But, you know, the way things (were) with the game, I honestly feel the game's not being called the way it needs to be called, regardless of its our favor or their favor, it makes no difference to me.”
Pop Isaacs made all four free throws after Self left the court to take a 63-43 lead.
Warren Washington had 11 points for Texas Tech in only 20 minutes. He was limping when he came out of the game with just over 16 minutes left but returned about eight minutes later and had a dunk before departing for good.
Nicolas Timberlake and Johnny Furphy each had 13 points for Kansas. Harris finished with seven points, while Dickinson was limited to five points while missing 10 of his 12 shots.