John Roberson scored 15 points, Tariq Owens added 13 points, nine rebounds and four blocks and Kyler Edwards and Matt Mooney had 11 each to lead the Air Raiders to an 83-64 win over Purple Heart on Friday in the opening round of The Basketball Tournament at the United Supermarkets Arena.
The Air Raiders advance to play The Enchantment at 8 p.m. on Friday in the Lubbock Regional semifinals.
Owens ended the game with a pair of free throws to get to the Elam Ending final score that capped a four-game day at the USA. The Air Raiders finished the game with 14 3-pointers and shooting 47.7 percent from the field in their first game together. The team is comprised entirely of former Red Raiders including Davide Moretti (2018-20), Davion Warren (2022), Dejan Kravic (2012-14), John Roberson (2008-11), Jordan Tolbert (2012-14), Kyler Edwards (2019-21), Matt Mooney (2019), Parker Hicks (2018-19), Tariq Owens (2019), Toddrick Gotcher (2012-16), and Zach Smith (2015-18).
Owens and Mooney made multiple big plays in the game, including an alley oop from Mooney to Owens that brought back memories of the historic 2018-19 season that resulted in a trip to the 2019 Final Four. Owens, who set a program record that season with 92 blocked shots, finished the night with four to start TBT while Zach Smith had three blocks and Jordan Tolbert had two. Roberson was the leading scorer, going 5-for-10 from the field and 4-for-8 on 3-pointers. Edwards and Gotcher made three 3-pointers each, while Mooney led the team with eight assists to go along with his 22 points.
The Enchantment knocked off Austin's Own to advance to set up the matchup between Tech alums and New Mexico alums on Friday night. The game will follow a matchup between In The Lab and Bleed Green at 6 p.m. at the USA.