When the roof fell a little: BYU’s loss to Texas Tech and what it means

There’s a particular kind of silence that settles in the Marriott Center when a win streak finally snaps — the collective inhale of a crowd that thought they had the momentum, followed by the slow realization that the game slipped away. That’s exactly the feeling from BYU’s 72-67 loss to Texas Tech on Jan. 7, 2025: a tight contest that unraveled in a few brutal minutes and left more questions than answers. (deseret.com)

A quick snapshot

• Final score: Texas Tech 72, BYU 67.
• The loss ended BYU’s 14-game home winning streak at the Marriott Center. (espn.com)
• Texas Tech’s trio (Elijah Hawkins, Darrion Williams, Chance McMillian) combined to shoot the lights out and did the damage late. BYU’s defense struggled to close possessions in the final stretch. (deseret.com)

Why this game stings

• The timing. BYU took a one-point lead with 6:50 to play and then watched Texas Tech score on six of the next seven possessions over about four minutes. That stretch turned a winnable game into a gap BYU couldn’t erase. It wasn’t a season-defining collapse, but it was a reminder: good teams close possessions when it matters. (deseret.com)

• The three-point dagger. Texas Tech shot over 40% from deep in the second half, and Elijah Hawkins hit six threes en route to a 22-point night. When an opponent’s shooters get hot in a hostile arena, defenses need answers — and BYU didn’t have enough of them that night. (deseret.com)

• Free throws and finishing. The box score tells part of the story: missed free throws and a relatively cold perimeter night from BYU contributed to the final five-point margin. Those are small margins that add up fast in close conference games. (deseret.com)

Three honest takeaways

• BYU’s late-game defense needs to be more disciplined under pressure. A good defensive stop or two in that 6:50–3:00 window changes the narrative; instead the Red Raiders found rhythm and BYU lost theirs. (deseret.com)

• Production from role players matters. Egor Demin flashed playmaking (12 points, six assists) but shot 4-of-12 and still looks like a work-in-progress offensively. When freshmen or secondary scorers are inconsistent, the burden shifts and defenses can key on the top options. (deseret.com)

• This is a useful reality check — not a derailment. BYU had been riding a wave of confidence at home; losing a close game to a quality Texas Tech squad exposes areas to tighten up but does not erase everything the team has done well. Use the loss to get better, not as proof everything is broken. (deseret.com)

What to watch next

• How Kevin Young’s squad responds in practice — specifically late-possession defense, switching on screens, and free-throw focus. Those micro-details are the quickest fixes and the ones that flip close games in your favor.

• Egor Demin’s development. He showed flashes of a facilitator who can create for others; turning those flashes into consistent scoring and smarter defensive reads will pay dividends.

• Bench scoring and rebounding balance. If the Cougars can get consistent minutes and reliability from their second unit, close games will tilt back their way.

A few bright spots amid the disappointment

• BYU still competed; this wasn’t a blowout. Fousseyni Traore led the effort and the team had stretches where it looked the part. Those moments are building blocks.

• The loss provides clearer diagnostic data than a comfortable win would. When things go wrong in specific ways — poor late-game defense, missed freebies, an opponent heating up from deep — coaches and players have precise problems to solve.

Final thoughts

Losing the home streak and a close game to a quality opponent stings — and it should. But it’s also a moment: a reminder that margins are small in Big 12 play and that growth often comes from tightening details. BYU’s season isn’t defined by one loss; it’s defined by how the team learns and adjusts. If the Cougars use this like film study fuel rather than a hangover, the Marriott Center will feel a lot different next time Texas Tech rolls into town. (deseret.com)

Further reading

• BYU’s official game recap. (byucougars.com)
• Deseret News’ three takeaways piece that framed the defensive breakdown and player notes. (deseret.com)
• AP/ESPN recap with box score and play-by-play detail. (espn.com)

Sources

• BYU Athletics — "No. 7 BYU falls to No. 8 Texas Tech, 29-7"
  https://byucougars.com/news/2025/11/08/no-7-byu-falls-to-no-8-texas-tech-29-7

• Deseret News — "3 takeaways from BYU’s 72-67 loss to Texas Tech" (Jan. 7, 2025)
  https://www.deseret.com/sports/2025/01/07/byu-cougars-texas-tech-basketball-3-takeaways/

• ESPN / AP — "Hawkins hits 6 3s, scores 22, Williams adds 18 points as Texas Tech beats BYU 72-67" (Game recap)
  https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401725650