LUBBOCK, Texas -- No. 16 Texas Tech held on to beat No. 3 Illinois 84-78 despite a 19-point second-half turnaround at the United Supermarkets Arena.

The win extends the Red Raiders' nonconference home winning streak to 49 games. The Illini are Tech's highest-ranked nonconference visitor in program history.

Illinois used 58 percent shooting in the second half to erase a 20-point halftime deficit. The Illini, the nation's top rebounding team through the first week of the season, were out-rebounded and allowed 22 points off 11 turnovers in the first half against a Tech defense that has stifled opponents to a 3-0 start to the season.

Tech won the rebound battle 43-32, including an 18-10 advantage on the offensive glass.

Texas Tech was paced by Cruz Davis' 20 points and 5 assists. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, who spent his first two collegiate years in Champaign, scored 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting against his former team.

The Illini's comeback was shackled by an 8-of-19 showing at the free-throw line.

Quentin Coleman led Illinois in scoring with 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting from 3-point while Andrej Stojakovic added 18.

Both teams played without key starters due to injuries, but Texas Tech got a boost in the debut of Jamichael Stillwell, who recorded an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double. His play on the interior allowed Tech to outrebound Illinois 43-32.

Davis and Donovan Atwell combined to knock down the first three 3-point attempts for the Red Raiders, igniting the nearly sold-out crowd for a 13-9 Red Raiders advantage at the first media timeout.

Both teams went on scoring droughts over the next three minutes before back-to-back baskets by the Illini forced a Texas Tech timeout. Davis faced a double team at half court and was forced to burn a second timeout on the next possession.

Texas Tech's rebounding and active hands forced the Illini into several turnovers to spark a 9-0 run and a 37-24 lead with five minutes to play in the first half.

Another steal and transition layup by Gibbs-Lawhorn got fans on their feet as Texas Tech built its lead to 17 at 41-26.

The Red Raiders closed the first half on a 21-5 run in total to lead 49-29 at the break. Tech scored 22 points scored off 11 Illini turnovers and led the rebounding battle against the nation's top rebounding team, 23-15, in the first half.

Illinois cut its deficit to 54-40 at the 15:27 mark, then to 61-51 at 11:44 by picking up its defensive intensity. The Red Raiders started the second half shooting just 3-of-14 with four turnovers. The Illini made 10 of their first 15 shots after halftime.

Tech's offense stalling coincided with Gibbs-Lawhorn exiting the game just minutes into the second half. He remained on the sideline massaging his inner leg ...

An and-one conversion from Ivisic capped a 9-0 run by Illinois at the midway point of the second half. Gibbs-Lawhorn returned to the floor on the next possession and hit a floater, Tech's first field goal in its last five attempts, before needing help off the floor at the 6:25 mark.

Stefan Vaaks added to Illinois' struggles at the charity stripe, but brought it to a one-possession game before Darrion Williams' pair of free throws put Tech ahead 65-60.

Stojakovic's layup minutes later brought the Illini to within one before 3s by Dennis and Atwell stopped Texas Tech's bleeding from the outside.

Atwell added free throws with 3:09 to play to extend the Red Raiders' lead. Facing a zone defense, Davis' sky-high layup and free throws pushed the lead to eight in the closing minute.

Up next, the Red Raiders' five-game homestand continues Saturday against Stonehill.

Illinois hosts Sam Houston on Friday to set the table for a visit to No. 2-ranked Duke on Nov. 17. The Blue Devils were upset by No. 5 Michigan State, 79-73, Tuesday at United Center in Chicago.

Source: Yahoo Sports