— got a chance to celebrate another score-settling win over former coach Chris Beard.and his former boss in Beard, fell more under the heading of relief than exultation.
“With all the respect I got for them, that was personal,” Tech guard Clarence Nadolny said afterward. “You don’t want to lose to the guy that left you. … Everybody was emotionally attached to this game.” A 9-0 run fueled by four Tech turnovers had brought Texas to within one point at 56-55 when Andrew Jones hit a wing 3-pointer. The Longhorns would not score again.With the win, No. 11 Tech stayed in a second-place tie in the conference with Baylor, behind Kansas. No. 20 Texas lost for just the second time this season at home.
While Texas had the majority of fans, Tech fans were a distinct presence, giving the game an NCAA regional final vibe. When Jones missed everything on a second-half shot, he was greeted with an “airball” chant. At home. Some of Tech’s trademark tortillas took flight during the game. Even the “The Eyes of Texas” got booed.