Lubbock, Texas ? Texas Tech got the victory, but coach Bob Knight clearly was frustrated.

He wasn’t happy with his players’ concentration, energy level or their execution in a 64-53 victory Sunday night over East Tennessee State.

“Whether we’ll ever get there or not, I don’t know,” Knight said during his short news conference after the game. “We were able to survive a difficult game offensively because we did play defense.”

Andre Emmett scored 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Red Raiders (3-0), who led throughout the game but had to stave off a late first-half surge by the Buccaneers (1-1). Tech plays its NIT semifinal game against Utah Wednesday night.

“We got the win, but if we want to accomplish the goals we set, we can’t play like that,” Emmett said. “Not to take anything away from them, but we didn’t play to our abilities. I don’t think everyone was prepared mentally.”

ETSU didn’t get its first field goal of the second half until Brad Nuckles put back a rebound with 14:42 remaining to pull within 39-30.

Tech’s largest lead was 49-32 and came with 11:13 remaining when Emmett, who finished 10-of-16 from the field, hit an eight-foot jumper from inside the lane. In the final three minutes, the Buccaneers twice cut the margin to nine, but could get no closer.

“To beat Texas Tech on the road, you have to play a great game,” said Buccaneers coach Murry Bartow. “Defensively, we did that. Offensively, with 27 turnovers, we didn’t give ourselves a chance.”

Joseph Works and Ronald Ross scored 10 points each for Tech.

Tim Smith scored 14 points, and James Anthony added 13 for ETSU.