JT Toppin Leads Texas Tech Past Arizona in Tight Finish

DURHAM, N.C. — Texas Tech held off Arizona 78-75 in a hard-fought NCAA basketball game on Saturday, fueled by strong performances from JT Toppin and Christian Anderson.

Toppin led the Red Raiders with 31 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks while shooting 13-of-22 from the field. Anderson added 19 points, six rebounds, and eight assists, and Donovan Atwell chipped in 11 points and five rebounds. Texas Tech finished the game shooting 41 percent overall and 33 percent from three-point range, while converting 68 percent of free throws.

Arizona stayed in the contest behind Brayden Burries, who scored 16 points and made seven free throws, and Ivan Kharchenkov, who added 13 points and three steals. The Wildcats struggled from deep, hitting only four of 16 three-point attempts, and were outrebounded 39-41 by Texas Tech.

The game remained close throughout, with multiple lead changes. Texas Tech’s bench provided key support, including Leon Horner’s five rebounds in 26 minutes. Arizona’s bench struggled to match the depth and defensive intensity of the Red Raiders down the stretch.

This victory boosts Texas Tech’s standing as a team capable of performing in tight, high-pressure situations. Arizona, now 24-10 on the season, will need to improve perimeter shooting and bench contributions as the season progresses. Historically, matchups between these teams have been competitive, with games often decided by fewer than five points.

Looking ahead, Texas Tech prepares to host a strong ACC opponent in its next game, while Arizona will focus on correcting shooting inconsistencies and improving rebounding margins. The outcome of this game has implications for NCAA Tournament seeding and at-large bid evaluations, making it a key result for both programs.