BY JEFF WALKER l A-J SPORTS EDITOR

Statistics can tell the story of a game sometimes.

In Texas Tech’s 85-80 loss on Tuesday to Texas Christian, the two teams attempted the same number of field goals. They attempted the same number of 3-pointers, with the Horned Frogs making one more than the Red Raiders.

Nick Okorie vs TCU

Both teams had eight offensive rebounds, with TCU finishing with a 35-32 edge overall. The personal fouls were nearly the same, as were the turnovers.

The difference in the outcome of the game, however, was that the Frogs shot better from the field. TCU made 49 percent of its field goals, while Tech shot 42 percent.

For Tech head coach Pat Knight, that goes back to defense.

“I thought it was bad. We gave up 85 points, especially with what we’ve been doing in practice,” Knight said. “What people don’t see is what we do in practice. I just get tired of hearing about it from so-called people who know what they’re talking about. Come to our practice, see what we do. These kids have got to get it sometime. It’s not like we just roll the ball out there.

“That’s the most frustrating part, because of everything we’ve worked on from a defensive standpoint. That’s all we’ve been working on for the last couple of months and that’s what’s disappointing. I thought they started getting it against Stephen F. Austin and then (Tuesday) it was back to the same old deal.”

The Frogs scored 26 points in the paint and another 27 from 3-point range. Many of TCU’s 3-pointers – particularly by Edvinas Ruzgas, who was 5 of 9 from beyond the arc – came on uncontested shots from the corner.

“If one guy breaks down, the whole team breaks down, that’s what they don’t understand,” Knight said. “They kind of have the attitude, Well, if I break down, somebody’s going to make up for it.’ You can’t do that. Players are too good.”

While Knight has the attention on the defense, the offense could use some fine-tuning as well.

The Red Raiders have tried to play at a faster pace this season, but sometimes they appear to confuse a fast shot with a good shot.

Nick Okorie vs TCU

After building a 21-14 lead early in the first half, Darko Cohadarevic committed a turnover, and Mike Singletary and John Roberson launched quick 3-pointers that were off the mark.

The Frogs then went on a 17-2 run in a six-minute span that put them ahead 31-23.

Alan Voskuil, who put on a shooting clinic at the end of the game by nailing four 3-pointers in the final 1:12, also took a 3-pointer from the left arc after receiving a pass at midcourt from Roberson. Voskuil didn’t dribble; he just turned and shot and was off the mark.

After the Red Raiders trimmed a 16-point deficit in the second half to 64-60, Tech scored once in seven possessions. Roberson, Nick Okorie, Voskuil and Robert Lewandowski missed shots, while Lewandowski also committed a turnover in that span.

“We just have to stay after it,” Knight said. “We’ll complain about it (Tuesday) and then come back and practice (Wednesday) and get ready for Baylor and start getting ready for the Big 12.

“You kind of take it out on yourself and the staff will watch the tape, but then we’ve got to keep getting them going, go back to working on the fundamentals of defense and offense. We’ve got a couple days to get ready for Baylor and the start of the Big 12.”

Tech opens Big 12 Conference play at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Waco.

jeff.walker@lubbockonline.com l 766-8735

terry.greenberg@lubbockonline.com l 766-8700

TEXAS TECH/Knight, players search for answers following loss to TCU.