The Red Raiders could not have asked for a better start to the game. A 7-0 run had their confidence high and the team seemed ready for the moment. Zhaire Smith scored the team's first five points and there was a lot of energy from the Red Raiders.
Fouls would get in the way of Tech expanding on the lead. Smith and Zach Smith were both called for two fouls each in the early stages of the game and had to miss time. Justin Gray had a third foul called on him with 27 seconds left in the opening half.