March 10, 2010

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - John Roberson scored 19 points, Nick Okorie added 18 and Texas Tech overcame a sloppy start defensively to open the Big 12 tournament with an 82-67 victory over Colorado on Wednesday.

Texas Tech (17-14) has been plagued by shoddy defense since reaching No. 16 in the polls midway through the season and started off that way against Colorado. The ninth-seeded Red Raiders pulled it together during a big first-half run and held on to end a seven-game losing streak.

Texas Tech assured itself of a winning record to bolster its NIT chances and keep alive its slim NCAA hopes. The Red Raiders move on to face top-ranked Kansas in the quarterfinals Thursday.

Colorado (15-16) beat Texas Tech to end the regular season on a three-game winning streak but became uncharacteristically careless with the ball in the rematch, turning it over 19 times.