Kevin Obanor, Texas Tech too strong for slumping LSU

Kevin Obanor scored 22 points and visiting Texas Tech ended an eight-game losing streak by defeating LSU 76-68 in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge on Saturday afternoon in Baton Rouge, La.

Kerwin Walton scored 17 points and De'Vion Harmon added 14 points and eight assists for the Red Raiders (11-10).

Adam Miller scored 20 points, KJ Williams collected 14 points and nine rebounds and Derek Fountain added 10 to lead the Tigers (12-9). LSU has lost eight in a row.

Hayes and Fountain made consecutive jumpers to start the second-half scoring and pull LSU within four points.

Obanor made a free throw for Texas Tech's first point, but the Tigers got within two before Harmon's 3-pointer gave the Red Raiders a 45-40 lead.

Williams converted a three-point play and Miller added a 3-pointer before Walton made consecutive 3-pointers to give Texas Tech a 51-46 lead.

LSU scored the next 10 points but Obanor followed with three consecutive layups, giving the Red Raiders a 57-56 lead.

That was the first of three lead changes before Harmon's layup ended a 12-2 run that gave Texas Tech's a 69-60 lead with 3:40 left. The Tigers made one field goal in the final 8:58.

Obanor scored the Red Raiders' first eight points and Texas Tech used a 9-0 run to open a 17-10 lead.

Trae Hannibal's layup ended the run, but the Red Raiders scored the next five points to take a 22-12 lead.

Hayes answered with a 3-pointer, but Obanor's two free throws gave Texas Tech its biggest lead, 26-15 midway through the half.

Miller made his fourth straight 3-pointer, but moments later went to the bench after committing his third foul.

Walton made consecutive 3-pointers to give the Red Raiders a 10-point lead before Williams' layup helped the Tigers trim the lead to 41-33 at halftime.