RECAP
LAS VEGAS -- Loyola of Chicago's hustle just wore out Texas Tech Monday night.
And the Red Raiders looked tired as they missed all 21 3-point tries. Jay Knuth's career high 15 points led the Ramblers to a surprise rout of the Red Raiders 62-44 in the third round of the Las Vegas Classic.
Knuth had six rebounds, scored 13 second-half points and only missed one from the foul line.
"This is a huge win for our program," said Knuth, who was averaging 2.5 points. "Hard work paid off. Credit our scouting staff and our coaching staff for prepping us. We defended them well. We were fortunate to get the bonus real early and I got fortunate to get to the line that much."
Ben Richardson chipped in with all nine of his points in the first half as the Ramblers (9-2) defeated a Big 12 team for the first time in 15 years.
"We're not going to outsize anybody," said Loyola of Chicago coach Porter Moser, whose team finds itself in the Classic's championship game Tuesday night. "We have to block out people. Sometimes, we play (6-foot-5) or smaller. We have to out-energy and I thought our guys did a great job believing we could win. I was really proud of our guys."
Justin Gray led Texas Tech (9-2) with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Texas Tech's streak of converting a 3 ended at 118 games. The Red Raiders finished 17 of 50 (34 percent) from the field.
"They made us take the outside shot," said Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith, who added it was the worst 3-point display he has ever seen from his teams. "Both teams were playing solid defense. They made us take the outside shot. (Loyola) was quicker to the ball. Their ability to get loose balls helped them. We passed up some open looks and took some tougher shots."
Robert Turner added 11 points for Texas Tech, which was outrebounded 39-29.
After trailing 28-19 at halftime, the Red Raiders scored the half's first four points, but came no closer the rest of the way. Loyola of Chicago would keep extending the lead, eventually to 22 with 3:26 left.
Loyola of Chicago was 17 of 45 (38 percent) from the field.
The Red Raiders led for the nine minutes of the first, and then the Ramblers took the lead for good at 12-11 with 10:37 left in the half. Loyola of Chicago had its largest first-half lead at halftime.
This was the first-ever meeting between the teams.
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TIP-INS
Loyola of Chicago: After the win, the Ramblers are 13-24 against teams of the current Big-12. Loyola of Chicago had lost nine of last 10 against those teams prior to Monday. The Ramblers last victory against the Big 12 came over Kansas State in December 1999.
Texas Tech: Texas Tech is making its fourth trip to Las Vegas. ... This was the Red Raiders first trip since December 2005, when it lost to UNLV across town at the Thomas & Mack Center.
STATLINE
All Texas Tech opponents have been held under 69 points. The last time a Red Raiders team did that was in 1951-52.
PIVOTAL MOMENT
The Ramblers reached the second-half bonus with 14:12 left in the game.
UP NEXT
Loyola of Chicago: Faces Boise State in the championship at the Orleans Arena on Tuesday.
Texas Tech: Meets Houston for third place at the Orleans Arena on Tuesday.
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