LAHAINA, Hawaii — Texas Tech showcased its trademark frenetic defense for the first 20 minutes of the program’s first appearance in the storied Maui Jim Maui Invitational.

The next 20 belonged to Creighton.

The No. 21 Red Raiders caused chaos aplenty early on but had no answer down the stretch as the No. 10 Bluejays of the Big East prevailed 76-65 in the event’s first game in the Lahaina Civic Center since the COVID-19 pandemic forced its relocation to the mainland for two years.

Texas Tech (3-1) forced 13 turnovers in the first half but none after intermission, when the game was tied at 31.

“The biggest difference was that first four minutes (of the second half),” Tech coach Mark Adams said. “They came out and just punched us in the mouth and I thought that was the difference. They came out with just a really aggressive mindset on both ends of the floor. It set the tone for the rest of the game.”

Creighton (5-0), another first-time Maui program, shared the ball effectively and shot 60% for much of the second half to advance to Tuesday's 3 p.m. (7 p.m. Central) semifinal against No. 9 Arkansas. It finished at 55.2%, including 9-for-20 shooting on 3s (45%). All five of the Bluejays' starters scored in double figures.

The Bluejays hurt the Red Raiders several times with drive-and-kick action to open shooters. They were unfazed by Tech’s full-court ball pressure down the stretch.

“They all drive right. We let 'em drive right,” guard De’Vion Harmon said of what went awry. “So just little things like that. They're really good at shooting the ball, and shoot at a very high clip as a team."

Despite some aggressive takes to the basket all game, Texas Tech did not attempt its first free throw until Pop Isaacs sank one with 12:04 remaining, but Adams credited the Bluejays with "walling up" without fouling.

Forward Daniel Batcho shook off some cramps to lead the Big 12 team with 17 points on 7-for-12 shooting. Isaacs added 13 on 4-for-5 3-point shooting and Harmon had 12 points on 17 shots.

Texas Tech faces Louisville in the first consolation game of the day Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. local time (1:30 p.m. Central).

A member of the officiating crew, Amy Bonner, became the first female referee of a Maui Invitational game in the 39-year history of the event.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii.