Texas Tech’s season ends in heartbreaking Elite Eight loss to Florida

SAN FRANCISCO, CA— No. 3 Texas Tech’s journey ends at the Elite Eight after a heartbreaking loss against the No. 1-seeded Florida Gators on Saturday evening, 84-79, despite being up by as much as 10 points in the second half.

Darrion Williams had 23 points and five rebounds, and JT Toppin had a double-double with 20 and 11 rebounds. Chance McMillian was also back in play and came off the bench with 14 points.

In the first half, the Red Raiders got off to a hot start from the three-point line, going six-for-seven at one point, but that hot start slowly started to simmer down, going one-for-nine by the end of the half.

In the second half, the Red Raiders went on an 8-0 run to start, including a Darrion Williams three, to bring Texas Tech in the lead by three. A 12-3 run from the Gators, including two big three-pointers by Thomas Haugh and a lead-changing three-pointer by Walter Clayton Jr. with a minute left, gave the Gators the lead by one.

Two free throws made by Gator’s Alijah Martin with 20 seconds left and Darrion Williams’ missed three-pointer with 16 seconds left gave Florida a three-point lead.

A Chance McMillian layup brought the Red Raiders to a two-point contest, but Will Richard made two free throws to give the Gators a five-point lead.

Free-throw shooting was also an issue for Texas Tech, going 7-for-13 from the free-throw line.

Texas Tech ended its season 28-9 overall and 15-5 in conference.