Chris Beard's Texas Longhorns fall to Texas Tech Red Raiders in men's basketball coach's return to Lubbock

LUBBOCK, Texas — Mark Adams stayed on the South Plains even before he knew he would get the job as Texas Tech's new men's basketball coach. Chris Beard got on a plane 10 months ago to Austin, and Red Raiders fans had waited since then to let them know how they felt about him leaving for their most-hated rival.

Kevin Obanor had 17 points with five 3-pointers and the 14th-ranked Red Raiders beat No. 23 Texas 77-64 on Tuesday night in Beard's return as coach of his alma mater, in an emotionally charged arena packed with more than 15,000 fans who used to love the coach who took their team to the national championship game only three years ago.

«Tonight wasn't about me, guys. I'm on the record my whole career. And you guys understand that I respect the opponent and I respect the game,'' Beard insisted afterward. „And congratulate Texas Tech on a good home win in the Big 12. Had a great crowd tonight. I thought it was a good college basketball game.''

The game had been sold out for weeks, and it was raucous long before tipoff. It stayed that way through the end of the victory that kept the Red Raiders undefeated at home.

Kevin McCullar had 19 points, including 12 of 15 free throws, while Bryson Williams added 16 points and Davion Warren 10.

The Red Raiders (17-5, 6-3 Big 12) took sole possession of third place halfway through the conference schedule behind 10th-ranked Kansas and eighth-ranked Baylor — teams they have beaten this season.

“I'm relieved, I'm tired but also so proud. Just appreciative of the way our players played, they showed a lot of heart,'' Adams said, „It was just such an awesome environment. I don't think I've ever experienced anything like that.''

Obanor, Williams and Warren are all senior transfers, and