Balanced attack leads No. 20 Arizona past No. 13 Texas Tech

Field Level Media|published: Sun 9th February, 01:22 2025

NCAA Basketball: Central Florida at Arizona

Jan 11, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd talks with guard KJ Lewis (5) during the first half against the UCF Knights at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Jaden Bradley and Caleb Love led five Arizona players in double figures with 16 points apiece as the No. 20 Wildcats topped No. 13 Texas Tech 82-73 Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.

The Wildcats (17-6, 11-1 Big 12) extended their winning streak to six games since they lost at Texas Tech on Jan. 18.

The Red Raiders (18-5, 9-3) saw their seven-game winning streak end.

Arizona reserves Henri Veesaar and KJ Lewis scored 15 points each with Veesaar grabbing eight rebounds and Lewis six.

Tobe Awaka added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

JT Toppin had 21 points and 12 rebounds, Darrion Williams and Christian Anderson each had 17 points, and Elijah Hawkins finished with 10 points and 12 assists for Texas Tech.

Arizona maintained its lead throughout the second half by scoring all of its points inside the 3-point line.

The Wildcats attacked the basket regularly and made 14 of 20 (70 percent) of their shots inside the arc in the second half.

They missed the five 3-pointers they attempted in the second half.

Eight consecutive points, including layups by Bradley and Lewis, put Arizona in control with a 74-63 lead with 3:15 remaining.

Toppin, who was benched early in the first half because he did not get back on defense, scored the Red Raiders' last six points of the half over the final two minutes to keep Texas Tech close.

Arizona led 39-37 at halftime after Toppin made a buzzer-beating layup.

He had 12 points and eight rebounds at halftime.

A 7-2 run that included layups off drives to the basket in a half-court set by Lewis, Carter Bryant and Love gave the Wildcats a 54-45 lead with 12:47 left.

Love missed the first 3-point attempt of the half by Arizona with 12:08 left but Veesaar grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled.

He made both free throws to put Arizona ahead 56-48 with 11:55 remaining.

Veesaar made two dunks in a run of six unanswered points, giving Arizona a 62-52 lead with 9:02 left.

Texas Tech responded with an 8-2 run that included 3-pointers by Anderson and Toppin.

Arizona finished with 18 assists on its 30 made field goals.

--Field Level Media