AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Tech’s Pop Isaacs scored 21 points to lead the Red Raiders to an opening 78-67 Big 12 victory over No. 20 Texas on Saturday night, a day after he was named in a lawsuit alleging sexual assault of a minor.
Isaacs was booed by Texas fans every time he touched the ball, and at one point put his fingers to his lips after a three-pointer to silence them. Isaacs, the Red Raiders’ leading scorer this season, scored six of Texas Tech’s final nine points to close out the victory.
School officials said in a statement Friday night that he remains in “good standing” and can continue playing despite being named in the civil lawsuit alleging the assault of a 17-year-old girl during the team trip. to the Bahamas for Battle 4. Atlantis in November. The age of consent in the Bahamas is 16, but the lawsuit says the girl was intoxicated and she could not give consent.
Texas Tech officials said Friday that the school is conducting its own investigation of the claims through its Title IX office.
Isaacs was not brought to the postgame news conference, and first-year Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland declined to comment further on the decision to continue playing him.
“I’m going to stand by the statement that the university made. We’re committed to that,” McCasland said.
The lawsuit says McCasland and school officials were first informed about the alleged assault on Dec. 14. Isaacs has played in five games since then.
Texas Tech’s Warren Washington, who scored 15 points, said the team stayed focused on the game amid news of the lawsuit.
“We’re a family. We had one goal in mind and that was to win. We weren’t thinking about anything else,” Washington said.
Texas Tech (12-2, 1-0) led 69-63 before Isaacs started the final burst with a layup, Chance McMillian dunked to extend the lead to 10 and Isaacs scored again.
Red Raiders fans began chanting “Raider Power” in what could be their last chance on the home court of their Big 12 rival. Texas leaves the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference next season.
“For us it’s about winning a Big 12 championship,” McCasland said. “You have to win away games and win every home game.”
Tyrese Hunter scored 20 points to lead Texas (11-3, 0-1).
“This is the Big 12. Every game is going to be a dogfight,” Hunter said. “We have to continue fighting and defending to get out of this.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
