Tucson, Arizona — texas tech‘S JT Toppin Had already made three baskets in overtime so the next time he got the ball, ArizonaThe defense collapsed, trying to beat anyone other than a preseason All-America selection.
Toppin obliged.
The 6-foot-9 forward threw the ball back to the perimeter Donovan Atwell was waiting. Guard made 3-pointer that was key for No. 16 Texas Tech 78-75 Road win over No. 1 Arizona on Saturday.
“I knew he was going to be there,” Toppin said. “We work on that every day.”
The pass to Atwell capped a sensational day for Toppin, who had his best all-around performance of the season with 31 points on 13-of-22 shooting, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. While the Red Raiders (19-6, 9-3 Big 12) have been a little inconsistent this season, Toppin has been steady, scoring at least 10 points in 21 consecutive games.
Texas Tech defeated a No. 1 team for the third time in school history. The last time was a 65-62 win over Baylor on January 11, 2022.
Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland said Toppin’s pass was a sign of the team’s dedication as it navigates a tough conference schedule. Texas Tech has won three in a row.
“We’re not speculating — it’s not luck,” McCasland said. “These guys work hard and put themselves in great shape every day. There’s no shortcuts. It’s hard work and you have to love it. These guys love it.”
Toppin finished with his 16th double-double of the season and 47th of his career and is now averaging 21.9 points and 11 rebounds per game. He played all 41 seconds of Saturday’s win, and showed incredible stamina in a tough game between two of the most physical teams in the country.
He was at his best during the opening minutes of overtime, scoring on a series of tip-ins and low-post moves that Arizona could not defend.
The Wildcats had nothing but good things to say about him after the game.
“He’s really taken another leap,” the Arizona forward. tobe awka Said, who had 16 points and 12 rebounds. “He has great body placement to catch the ball and hold on to it. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Congratulations to him and the type of player he is.”
Texas Tech wasn’t a one-man show on Saturday. Christian Anderson Scored 19 points after making six 3-pointers. Atwell finished with 11, including a clutch 3 in overtime and another from behind the arc with 25 seconds left in regulation, which limited a 9-0 Red Raiders run and helped push the game into overtime.
Still, Toppin is the team’s All-America selection for a reason. He lived up to the billing on a huge stage in a noisy street environment.
“JT Toppin is not going to be denied at the end of this game,” McCasland said.
