JT Toppin’s 31-Point Outing Lifts Texas Tech to 78-75 Overtime Win at No. 1 Arizona
JT Toppin poured in 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, capping a standout performance with a go-ahead assist in overtime to fuel Texas Tech’s 78-75 road upset of No. 1 Arizona on Saturday night (ET). The Red Raiders held on in a physical, hard-fought contest in Tucson to hand the Wildcats a rare home defeat.
Toppin takes over in overtime
Toppin was relentless down the stretch. The 6-foot-9 forward finished 13-of-22 from the floor and dominated the extra period with tip-ins and low-post moves Arizona struggled to defend. He also contributed three assists, two steals and a block while playing all but 41 seconds of the game, punctuating his effort with the decisive play late in OT.
With Arizona collapsing on him in the lane, Toppin swung the ball out to Donovan Atwell, who knocked down a critical 3-pointer that pushed Texas Tech in front. "I knew he was going to be over there. We work on that every day, " Toppin said after the game. The assist capped a performance that extended Toppin’s streak of games with at least 10 points to 21 straight.
Supporting cast and momentum swings
Toppin wasn’t alone. Christian Anderson supplied a major shooting boost, finishing with 19 points after hitting six 3-pointers. Atwell finished with 11 points, including another clutch triple with 25 seconds left in regulation that capped a 9-0 Red Raiders run and forced overtime.
The Wildcats hung around behind a strong effort from Tobe Awaka, who posted 16 points and 12 rebounds. Still, Texas Tech’s mix of interior force and perimeter accuracy proved decisive in a game between two of the season’s more physical teams.
Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland praised the execution late, framing the win as the product of hard work rather than luck. "We're not guessing. This isn't luck. These dudes practice hard and put themselves in position every day, " he said. "There's no shortcuts to this. It's a grind, and you've got to love it. These dudes love it. "
What the result means
The victory is a signature notch for Texas Tech, marking just the third time in program history the Red Raiders have beaten a top-ranked opponent. Toppin notched his 16th double-double of the season and the 47th of his career and now averages 21. 9 points and 11. 0 rebounds per game.
Texas Tech improved to 19-6 overall and 9-3 in conference play, riding a three-game winning streak as the grind of the schedule intensifies. The Wildcats, stunned at home, will have to regroup after a tight contest that came down to execution in the final minutes of overtime.
For Texas Tech, the win highlights a balanced attack built around Toppin’s interior dominance and timely perimeter shooting. For Arizona, the loss exposes how difficult it can be to defend a player who combines strength, timing and a quick second jump under pressure.
"JT Toppin was not going to be denied at the end of this game, " McCasland added, summing up a performance that could reverberate for both teams as the season heads into its most consequential stretch.
