Texas Tech Wins Thriller vs. Florida to Go to Sweet 16 in 2018 NCAA Tournament

Texas Tech is headed to its first Sweet 16 since 2005. 

Two days removed from a first-round win over Stephen F. Austin, the East Regional's No. 3 seed downed the No. 6 Florida Gators, 69-66, in front of a de facto home crowd at American Airlines Center in Dallas.  

The two sides were locked in a heated battle for the entire second half, but the Red Raiders rode clutch performances from guards Kennan Evans and Zhaire Smith to a thrilling victory. 

Evans finished with 22 points, three rebounds and a single assist, but that dime was crucial. He found Smith for an alley-oop slam that put Texas Tech up five points with 29 seconds remaining: 

Zhaire Smith Brings the Florida's Defense to Their Knees

The Gators countered with a layup from Chris Chiozza to trim the deficit to three, and a Jalen Hudson steal on the ensuing inbounds play gave the Gators not one—but two—game-tying attempts from beyond the arc. 

However, Egor Koulechov and KeVaughn Allen both came up empty, and the Gators watched their NCAA tournament run come to a close. 

The Red Raiders, meanwhile, kept their hopes of a Final Four berth alive behind sensational guard play. 

Evans shot a stellar 8-of-14 from the field, and he buried three of his four attempts from beyond the arc—including a huge long-range conversion that broke a 64-64 tie with 2:32 to go: 

Keenan Evans sinks it from downtown

Smith was brilliant in his own right and flirted with a triple-double to the tune of 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. 

The freshman also flashed his tantalizing, NBA-caliber athleticism by rocking the rim with authority: 

Zhaire Smith with the big dunk

The Gators received a game-high 23 points from Hudson, but their offense stalled out a bit in the second half because Chiozza (11 points, three assists) was glued to the bench with foul trouble for a crucial stretch.  

Additionally, Florida's offense was hindered by another subpar showing from Allen. 

Coming off a shaky shooting showing against St. Bonaventure, Allen finished with seven points on 2-of-11 shooting and four turnovers. All told, the Gators finished with as many giveaways (11) as assists. 

After surviving a scare, the Red Raiders will now turn their attention toward a Sweet 16 showdown with either No. 2 Purdue or No. 10 Butler. Those two will square off in a second-round showdown Sunday at 12:10 p.m. ET.