Texas Tech dominated Akron in the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Friday in Tampa, Florida, securing a 91-71 victory to move on to the second round. The Red Raiders (23-10) held a five-point halftime lead and extended it with a steady second-half performance, highlighted by an eight-possession scoring streak.

Guard Jaylen Petty led the team with 24 points, including five three-pointers, while Christian Anderson added 18 points, and forward Donovan Atwell scored 15. Double-digit scoring also came from Josiah Moseley (16 points) and LeJuan Watts (14), helping Texas Tech overcome the absence of All-America guard JT Toppin, who recently tore his ACL.

Akron (29-6) was paced by Amani Lyles with 26 points and Shammah Scott with 20, but the Zips could not overcome Texas Tech’s balanced attack and efficient shooting. The Red Raiders hit 61% of their field goals and 53% of their three-pointers, building a lead that Akron never overcame.

Texas Tech opened the second half with consecutive three-pointers from Petty and Atwell to stretch their lead to 11. Later, Anderson’s steal led to a fast-break dunk by Petty and another three-pointer, giving Texas Tech a 16-point advantage and effectively sealing the game. Akron closes its season after its eighth March Madness appearance, while Texas Tech aims to reach the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year.