By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
March 15, 2003
DALLAS (AP) -- Bob Knight gave back his salary because he didn't like how Texas Tech played in the regular season. The postseason is turning out quite differently.
Nathan Doudney scored a career-high 25 points, mostly on 3-pointers, to help the Red Raiders build a 20-point lead before halftime, then they held on to beat No. 3 Texas 92-81 in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament Friday night.
Andre Emmett had 30 points and 11 rebounds and Kasib Powell had 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the fourth triple-double in school history as Knight earned his most impressive victory in two years coaching the Red Raiders.
It's quite a bargain for the school, since Knight has told athletic director Gerald Myers he won't accept his $250,000 base salary no matter how March turns out.
``Gerald has a hell of a deal,'' Knight said. ``He has to take me out to eat tonight.''
Tech hadn't beat a team ranked so high since knocking off No. 2 SMU in January 1985. The Red Raiders also had lost 13 straight against Texas.
Now, they're in the conference semifinals for the second straight year, this time as the lowest seed (seventh) to make it that far in the tournament's seven-year history. They'll play sixth-ranked Oklahoma (22-6), which beat Colorado 74-59 in Friday's last quarterfinal game.
While an automatic bid remains the best way for Tech (17-11) to get into the NCAA tournament, Knight's plucky squad has to be making its case for an at-large berth -- especially with the compelling story line of the Hall of Fame coach working for free.
``We hope we can get in with this win,'' said Powell, who had the first triple-double in Big 12 tournament history.
Knight, though, said he's already extended them one bid.
``I invited them to dinner at the hotel,'' he said.
For Texas (22-6), the loss could hurt its chances of getting a No. 1 seed.
The Longhorns had won four straight and eight of nine. They were coming off their best win of the year, having erased a 15-point deficit in the final 13:48 to beat Oklahoma 76-71, ending the Sooners' 37-game home winning streak.
A similar rally seemed to begin with Texas Tech up 71-59 and 7:29 left. The Longhorns got to 80-74, but their strategy of fouling at every opportunity backfired. The Red Raiders made 13 of 16 free throws down the stretch.
``With the run we had last week, a lot of people probably expected us to come back and win. We did the best we could,'' said point guard T.J. Ford, who led Texas with 23 points and eight assists.
The Longhorns' only lead was 2-0. Tech went up by 19 midway through the first half and was ahead 50-30 in the closing seconds of the half.
Doudney, a walk-on last season making only his fourth start this season, led the hot start by hitting 3-pointer after 3-pointer. He was 5-of-6 and had 17 points at halftime, already topping his career-high of 15.
He finished 7-of-9 from behind the arc. Will Chavis, who fouled out with 4:02 left, was 3-of-5, giving Tech a season-best 10 3-pointers.
``I got some great open looks,'' Doudney said. ``After I hit the first one, it all started flowing.''
Ford was about all that flowed for Texas.
Brandon Mouton scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half, while James Thomas, who averages 11.6 points, was shut out. He missed two field goals and two free throws in 16 minutes.
``This was as good a game played against us in a long time,'' said Longhorns coach Rick Barnes, who had been 10-0 against Tech. ``They were crisp, they were terrific.''
The Red Raiders came into the tournament on a three-game losing streak, then needed a buzzer-beating basket by Emmett to win the first-round game against Baylor. This victory makes Knight 4-1 in Big 12 tournament games.
He enjoyed this one so much that during a dead-ball stoppage with 4:53 left, he and Ford chatted for about 15 seconds. Knight put an arm around Ford's shoulders and the guard was smiling the entire time. Knight gently patted Ford on the back of his head when it broke up.
``We just had a nice little conversation,'' said Ford, declining to give details. ``He was just buying time for one of his free throw shooters.''
He likely was complimenting the standout sophomore.
``We proved once again we can't cover Ford. I'm tired of proving that,'' Knight said. ``I'm not sure I've seen anybody move as quickly with the basketball. He made a pass in the second half that I almost stood up and clapped for. The kid did a great job keeping them in it.''
Updated on Saturday, Mar 15, 2003 12:03 am, EST
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