Quick recap: No. 5 Kansas defeats No. 14 Texas Tech, 58-57, in Big 12 opener

By Shane Jackson Dec 17, 2020

Associated Press

Kansas forward Mitch Lightfoot (44) strips the ball from Texas Tech's Mac McClung (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lubbock, Texas, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)

If Thursday night’s Big 12 opener was any indication, this year’s race for the league title figures to be as interesting as it has ever been.

The Big 12 opener between No. 5 Kansas and No. 14 Texas Tech came down to the final possession, with Kansas redshirt freshman Jalen Wilson coming through with a game-clinching block on a pull-up jumper by Terrence Shannon Jr.

It was enough for the Jayhawks to hang on for a 58-57 win over the Red Raiders in the United Supermarkets Arena on Thursday.

Kansas junior Ochai Agbaji delivered the go-ahead layup with 13 seconds remaining on a nice find by Marcus Garrett. The sequence came on an out-of-timeout set by KU head coach Bill Self after Texas Tech took a 1-point advantage with 34 seconds left in the game.

Agbaji led KU with 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor, including a 4-for-7 effort from long range. Garrett added 10 points to join him in double figures. Wilson, who struggled and only finished with 7 points, made the play of the game in the end.

Kansas has won 30-straight conference openers dating back to the 1991-92 season, and 18 of those victories have come on the road.

7 other times Kansas scored off their circle lob out of bounds play that Bill Self went to tonight for the game-winner pic.twitter.com/3RNynuiVwH

— Jordan Sperber (@hoopvision68) December 18, 2020