David Tairu helps No. 20 Texas Tech come back to beat UTEP 86-78

Tairu leads No. 20 Texas Tech over UTEP 86-78

LUBBOCK, Texas — David Tairu scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half to help No. 20 Texas Tech fend off UTEP 86-78 Sunday.

Tech let an 11-point second-half lead turn into a six-point UTEP advantage, but rallied back to remain unbeaten at home.

Derrick Caracter scored 21 points for the Miners (9-3).

Trailing 59-53 with 8:31 left, Tairu sank three 3-pointers in the next two and a half minutes. The last spurred an 8-3 run that put the Red Raiders (12-2) back ahead at 72-70 with less than four minutes to play.

John Roberson led Tech with 18 points, D’walyn Roberts had 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Mike Singletary added 16 points.

The loss snapped UTEP’s four-game winning streak. The Miners have now lost 12 consecutive games to teams ranked in the Top 25 since a Feb. 17, 2001, win over Fresno State.

The Red Raiders made 35 of 46 free throws.