Texas Tech Red Raiders at Memphis Tigers

No. 20 Texas Tech rallies past Memphis in Miami, 78-67

Tariq Owens says the same applies to shot-blockers like himself. And No. 20 Texas Tech is extremely fortunate that he found his way into a groove just in time on Saturday.

Owens blocked six shots in the last nine minutes, fueling a 33-10 game-ending run that carried the Red Raiders to a 78-67 comeback win over Memphis on Saturday at the HoopHall Miami Invitational. Owens finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high-tying eight blocks in only 24 minutes.

"I got in a little zone," Owens said. "We picked it up as a team. Our team defense was better ... and that makes it easier for me to do what I do."

What he did, at least on Saturday, was change the game.

Memphis missed 17 of its last 21 shots, Owens erasing six of them with blocks and changing several others that he didn't get one of his hands on to swat away. And afterward, all the Tigers could do was laud his effort.

"He changed the whole pace of the game," said Tyler Harris, who led Memphis with 17 points. "I feel like we could have overcome it, but we kind of got down on ourselves."

Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said he's seeing signs of progress.

"The team has to continue to buy in," Hardaway said. "We need 40 minutes. Right now, we're buying in for 30."

Jarrett Culver scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half for the Red Raiders. Deshawn Corprew scored 12 points and Brandone Francis added 10 points for Texas Tech, which has won all seven of its games this season by double digits.

"I feel like this team has a lot of heart," Culver said. "And we're going to continue to have it."

Memphis led for 33 of the game's 40 minutes.

"There are no moral victories," Hardaway said. "I'm not happy at all. We had this win."

BIG PICTURE

Texas Tech: This was the second game this season where the Red Raiders found themselves facing a double-digit deficit, and ran away in the second half. It also happened Nov. 19 against USC, when the Red Raiders outscored the Trojans 55-31 after halftime. The second-half score Saturday: Texas Tech 50, Memphis 30.

FLORIDA GUESTS

THE SERIES

Memphis fell to 6-1 in the series. This was the first meeting between the schools since 1985.

UP NEXT

Memphis: Hosts South Dakota State on Tuesday.

Texas Tech: Hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Wednesday.

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How can I watch Texas Tech vs. Memphis?

• TV Channel: Texas Tech at Memphis 2021 College Basketball, week 4, is broadcasted on ESPNU.
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