LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Cruz Davis scored 13 of his 20 points while No. 16 Texas Tech built a big first-half lead, and the Red Raiders held on to beat No. 3 Illinois 84-78 on Tuesday night, extending their nonconference home winning streak to 49 games.
Jamichael Stillwell had 11 points and 13 rebounds in his season debut for Texas Tech (3-0), which is still without JT Toppin as the All-America post player recovers after tearing the ACL in his right knee
last February.
Andrej Stojakovic scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half, when the Illini (2-1) got within a point after trailing by 22 late in the first half but never could go back in front.
The victory over the highest-ranked nonconference opponent to visit Lubbock put the Red Raiders at 103-1 in nonconference home games since December 2013. The lone loss was 76-74 in overtime to No. 15 Kentucky on Jan. 25, 2020. They are 26-0 in nonconference home games under fourth-year coach Grant McCasland.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn scored 15 for Texas Tech before getting helped off the court with an apparent lower-body injury in the second half.
Freshman Quinten Coleman led Illinois with 19 points, including two tough 3-pointers late that helped keep the outcome in doubt until the final minute.
Stillwell, who fueled a 43-32 edge on the boards against a strong rebounding opponent, was eligible for the first time with the Red Raiders after the UCF transfer was granted a temporary restraining order last week.
Stojakovic's layup pulled Illinois within 65-64 with 5 1/2 minutes to go, but Damarion Dennis answered with a 3-pointer. The Illini didn't get another chance to tie or go ahead.
Illinois: Sam Houston State at home Friday.
Texas Tech: Stonehill at home Saturday.
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