Texas Tech Spotlights Defensive Versatility in Opener

LUBBOCK, Texas -- No. 19-ranked Texas Tech, even playing without two key interior players, set a benchmark for defensive production in the Red Raiders' season-opening win over Jackson State on Monday.

"I feel like it helps us a lot on defense because we're not just guarding one specific person," said point guard Cruz Davis, who used Tech's perimeter switching to swipe a career-high six steals. "We could switch a lot, so it just helps us stay in our gaps and get more deflections and more steals.

In total, Tech forced the Tigers into 24 turnovers and scored 29 points off those takeaways. The most turnovers Texas Tech forced in any game last season was 17.

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Head coach Grant McCasland pointed to how the Red Raiders limited JSU's Daeshun Ruffin, the reigning SWAC Player of the Year, who scored just five points and committed five turnovers.

"That was the key to the game, our urgency when he had the basketball. It showed up on every possession," McCasland said. "We've got the ability to turn people over the way we compete defensively, especially as we get guys back."

Damarion Dennis led the team in scoring with a spark-plug night off the bench to establish a new career-high of 22 points.

"I don't know if anybody can tell, but he's having fun, and he practices that way," said McCasland, who moves to 4-0 in season-openers since taking over the program. "There's a reason [Dennis] plays this well, and we've talked about it as a staff. He's just earned every opportunity and our guys trust him."

On a night where veteran returners Donovan Atwell and Darrion Williams combined to record more fouls than points, Texas Tech's collective pursuit of defensive pressure was how the Red Raiders eventually found success offensively.

Josiah Moseley was another impactful piece off the bench, adding 13 points and eight rebounds on 4-of-6 shooting.

Where Davis, Dennis and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn created chaos on the outside, Moseley's experience will be crucial for a frontcourt that is without two starting-caliber big men in All-American forward JT Toppin (ACL recovery) and UCF transfer Jamichael Stillwell (eligibility).

"I think Josiah can do just about anything. That's what makes him such a good player," McCasland said about the 6-8 forward. "I think honestly the real question is, where does he fit defensively? With the way we'll play, I think it's awesome to have a guy that can play the 3, 4 or 5 in a pinch."

Until Stillwell returns, McCasland said Moseley will likely see the most action guarding the opposing team's post players as he continues developing his movement as a defender.

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At center, Texas Tech started international newcomer Bassala Bagayoko, and McCasland said his basketball IQ will come to fruition sooner than later. Bagayoko, a native of Mali with professional experience under his belt, speaks three different languages, and is still learning English.

"That's kinda what this team's gonna be," McCasland said about his lineup depth. "Every night I think we got a couple guys that can play great, and we got a deeper team, and as we continue to get guys healthy - it's the right mix.

"Great start to the season."

The Red Raiders host Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. inside the United Supermarkets Arena.

The game follows the first Lady Raiders game of the season, where Krista Gerlich's squad hosts Charlotte at 5 p.m.