Texas Tech’s Davide Moretti comes up clutch with pair late 3-pointers to sink Gonzaga

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Texas Tech’s Davide Moretti was an unlikely hero.

The sophomore guard from Italy wasn’t having a particularly strong game, but he came through late with a pair of 3-pointers that guided the Red Raiders past Gonzaga 75-69 Saturday at the Honda Center.

Moretti, who leads the team in 3-point percentage at 46.2, was 0 of 2 when he found himself with the ball out front and time running low on the shot clock. He waved away one screener, then asked for a screen from Norense Odiase. Moretti dribbled to his right to find open space and buried a 3-pointer to put Texas Tech up 63-58.

Moretti drilled another clutch 3 with 1:45 remaining, boosting the Red Raiders’ lead to 66-60.

“I was ready for those 3s because I knew my teammates trusted me,” said Moretti, who also hit two free throws with 11 seconds left to give Texas Tech a 73-69 lead. “So I had to pay them back. I was confident for the first seconds the ball left my hands.”

Moretti finished with 12 points, half in the final 3:50.

“He was very prominent on the scouting report,” Gonzaga forward Jeremy Jones said. “He made some big-time shots.”