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3 takeaways from Texas Tech's win over Baylor in Big 12 play: Red Raiders spoil series sweep 

Box score

No. 15 Texas Tech (21-5, 9-4 Big 12) continued to roll as it extended its Big 12 win-streak to four consecutive games. The Red Raiders caught fire in the first period and stayed hot coming out of the locker room to earn a 86-61 win over Baylor (16-8, 7-5) Saturday afternoon in conference play.

The victory was a hard one for Tech's sideline to celebrate as Norense Odiase suited out and played through a recent tragedy. The senior center had two cousins die the morning before the game, but Chris Beard and company were there to help support Odiase.

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Here are three takeaways from Saturday's game:

Tech records key run in first half to set the tempo, gain the advantage

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In an impressive play, Tech senior forward Tariq Owens went up to record a challenging block and teammate Matt Mooney capitalized on the turnover. The senior guard got out in transition and sank an easy 3-pointer to give the Red Raiders a 23-15 advantage with 9:49 left in the first. Mooney went on to go 4-for-4 from the free-throw line and Moretti 1-for-2 to cap off the 10-point run and put Tech up 28-15 over Baylor with 7:48 left before the break.

The Bears' Devonte Bandoo ended the run with a 2-point shot, but the damage was done as the Red Raiders never let up.

The Red Raiders pick up where they left off from the 3-point line

Tech finished its 78-50 win over Oklahoma State on Wednesday with an impressive 12 3-pointers and continued to be a threat with its long-range game vs. Baylor.

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It didn't take long to establish that fact, too. Moretti drained a 3-pointer with 19:22 left in the first to take the game's initial lead.

Baylor went on to tie the game three times in the first half as teams traded blows, but back-to-back 3-point shots from Moretti and Kyler Edwards gave Tech a 13-8 advantage with 14:47 left on the clock. The Red Raiders were unafraid to pull the trigger from beyond the 3-point line the remainder of the opening period, finishing 8 of 15 from beyond the arc. Collectively, the team finished 12 of 30 by the end of the night.

Tech started and ended the first half from the 3-point line. Sophomore Jarrett Culver sank one with 8.1 seconds left in the Red Raiders closing scoring drive of the half.

Tech spoils Big 12 sweep, exact revenge on Baylor

After losing to the Bears 73-62 on Jan. 19 on the road, the Red Raiders weren't going to let Baylor come away with another win. Tech defended its home court to improve its record to 14-1 at the United Supermarkets Arena and spoil Baylor's chance of a series sweep.

There was a sore note on the afternoon as the contest winded down, though. The game was stamped with an alley-oop by Andrew Sorrells, which Beard didn't appear to be happy about.

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UP NEXT

The Red Raiders host No. 11 Kansas at 7 p.m. Saturday in their second Big 12 matchup. In their first meeting, Tech fell to the Jayhawks 79-63. The Red Raiders have another chance to spoil a series sweep on their home court when the two ranked teams meet.