Texas Tech built a second-half lead as large as 10 before top NBA prospect Darryn Peterson guided a Jayhawk rally in the final moments.
LUBBOCK - In another high-profile Big 12 matchup inside the United Supermarkets Arena, the game the fit the billing of yet another tight contest throughout. Ultimately, for the first time this season Texas Tech was unable to come away with a home win, falling to Kansas 64-61 on Monday night.
After trailing by three at the break - after a first half that saw star guard Christian Anderson be a late scratch with a pregame illness - the No. 13-ranked Red Raiders stormed to an 11-0 run in the second, gaining an edge as large as 10 on the No. 11 Jayhawks.
Kansas turned to their top NBA Draft prospect Darryn Peterson, who despite catching scrutiny for his unavailability throughout this season and for a slow second half of scoring, came up big for the visitors to knock down back-to-back three-pointers to tie and take the lead in the final minute.
The Jayhawks closed the game on an 8-0 run as Texas Tech could not connect on two looks from the perimeter to force overtime.
The Red Raiders fall to 16-6 on the season and 6-3 in Big 12 play. Kansas improves to 17-5 and 7-2 in conference.
Struggling to pick up the slack from Anderson's absence (he did not play in the second half, either, after being reevaluated), Tech shot just 32 percent from the field while KU hit 45 percent of their shots.
Peterson is widely regarded as the consensus No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft this spring, and his late-game heroics proved why. He ended the game scoring a game-high 19 points, though his shooting efficiency (5/14) was below his averages.
Four other Jayhawks scored in double figures, and big man Bryson Tiller chipped in a valuable 10-rebound, 4-assist performance.
Texas Tech was led by LeJuan Watts' 19 points and 12 rebounds. All-American forward JT Toppin - the only player in America averaging a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double this year - was held to 10 points and six boards.
It's now back-to-back losses for the Red Raiders after last week's road loss to UCF, where poor late-game execution also proved costly.
Texas Tech looks to rebound against West Virginia in Morgantown on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 8 at 12 p.m. CST.