Texas Tech held Arkansas-Little Rock scoreless for almost five minutes in the second half and the Red Raiders were able to hang on and then coast to a 65-53 win on Tuesday at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas.

Forward Zach Smith had a double-double, leading the Red Raiders with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Todd Gotcher also scored 12 points, five of them at a critical juncture in the second half as Texas Tech (9-1) pulled away.

Guard Marques Johnson Jr. and guard Josh Hagins each scored 14 points for Arkansas-Little Rock (10-1), which lost for the first time this year.

The Red Raiders thrived early before the home crowd and jumped out to a 10-point lead at 19-9. The Trojans clawed their way back and took a 26-25 lead on Hagins' 3-pointer with 5:12 to go in the half.

The teams traded buckets and at the half the Red Raiders were up by four.

Johnson's jumper brought the Trojans within one at 45-44 with 10:31 to go in the game. The next time Arkansas-Little Rock scored was when forward Lis Shoshi connected on a jumper with 5:43 remaining.

Thanks to a tenacious Arkansas-Little Rock defense, Texas Tech only led 50-46, but that was enough for the Red Raiders, who built a double-digit lead in the final minutes.

The Trojans, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, lead the nation in scoring defense, allowing 53.7 points per game. The most points they have given up all season was 73 by Central Arkansas.