Sold-out in LUBBOCK, at the United Supermarkets Arena crowd saw No. 11-ranked Texas Tech jump out to a 14-0 lead to start the game and earn a 63-57 win over Kansas State on Saturday to improve to 2-0 in Big 12 play and 9-0 at home this season.

The Red Raiders (13-1, 2-0 Big 12) held the Wildcats (10-4, 0-2 Big 12) to an 0-for-13 shooting performance to begin the game with their first basket not coming until the 9:12 mark of the first half. TTU led 17-3 eight minutes into the game and by as many as 16 in the first half before the game tightened in the second half. The Wildcats would pull to within one point with 6:56 remaining in the game before Davide Moretti took over with a 3-pointer and layup to push the lead back to six. KSU would never get back into the game with the Red Raiders making 10 of 12 free throws down the stretch.
Moretti led the Red Raiders with a career-high 19 points after going 7-for-11 from the field with three 3-pointers and two free throws. A sophomore from Italy, Moretti had previously scored 17 points in wins over Mississippi Valley State and Southern Cal this season and came into the game on Saturday averaging 8.7 points per game. His game was highlighted by his 19 points, but it also included an impressive steal with 1:34 remaining where he dove for a loose ball and with four rebounds. He’d finish with two assists and two steals in a game where he also fouled out in the final minute.

Next stop, the Red Raiders will host OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY in Lubbock, United Supermarkets Arena Wednesday 9 January at 3.00 am (Italy time).