Texas Tech defeats Prairie View behind Tolbert

By foxsports
Published

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- Jordan Tolbert scored 16 points as Texas Tech defeated Prairie View A&M 89-79 Friday night in the season opener for both teams.

The Red Raiders' win came in interim coach Chris Walker's first game. He took over the program two weeks after Billy Gillispie resigned Sept. 20.

Tolbert was 7 for 7 from the field and had seven rebounds.

Jamal Williams Jr. added 15 points for Texas Tech, including 3-pointers on three straight possessions to spark an early run that gave the Red Raiders a lead they carried through the rest of the game.

Prairie View trailed by 20 points before getting as close as eight in the second half. Carl Blair was 15 of 17 from the free-throw line and finished with 19 points for the Panthers. Ryan Gesiakowski added 18 points.