It should come as no surprise that Texas Tech—a team known for its defense all season—so much so that it advanced past Michigan in the Sweet 16 on Thursday by holding them to just 44 points—would use a huge defensive play to upset Number 1 seeded Gonzaga on Saturday night.
Watch as the Red Raiders Tariq Owens not onlyblocks this shot but saves it back in bounds to a teammate.
And in case you’re not sure how good a defensive play it was—the refs couldn’t take their eyes off ofit.
Which is why they didn’t realize Owens had stepped out of bounds before he saved the ball.
Still, the Red Raiders were up six at that point, 68-62 and made the plays when it counted down the stretch.
Especially after Gonzaga’s Josh Perkins steal and transition 3 that pulled the Bulldogs to within two with 22.1 seconds left at 69-67
But that was as close as they would get as Tee Tech was a perfect 6 for 6 on the ensuing free throws and rolled to the 75-69.
Texas Tech takes its show to Minneapolis, where it will meet Michigan State, winner of the East Region final.
SEE: Owens Blocks A Shot And The Refs View Apparently