Darrion Williams, JT Toppin power Texas Tech past Drake to Sweet 16

Field Level Media|published: Sat 22nd March, 20:37 2025

Mar 22, 2025; Wichita, KS, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward JT Toppin (15) controls the ball against Drake Bulldogs forward Daniel Abreu (54) during the first half at Intrust Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Darrion Williams scored 28 points and JT Toppin added 25 points and 12 rebounds to help third-seeded Texas Tech post a 77-64 victory over 11th-seeded Drake on Saturday in West Region second-round play at Wichita, Kan.

Elijah Hawkins had 16 points and seven assists for the Red Raiders (27-8), who advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in the past seven NCAA Tournaments. Toppin made 11 of 13 field-goal attempts and Williams hit 11 of 18 shots.

Texas Tech will face 10th-seeded Arkansas in the Sweet 16.

Bennett Stirtz recorded 21 points and eight assists and Daniel Abreu scored 15 points on five 3-pointers for the Bulldogs (31-4). Kael Combs added 13 points and Tavion Banks had 11 for Drake, which set a school record for victories.

Texas Tech once again played without Chance McMillian (upper-body injury).

The Red Raiders shot 53.8 percent from the field, including 2 of 14 from 3-point range. Texas Tech held a 50-20 edge in points in the paint.

Drake made 42.6 percent of its attempts and sank 8 of 17 from behind the arc.

The Bulldogs trailed 52-47 after a layup by Banks with 10:33 remaining but Texas Tech soon opened a double-digit lead.

Back-to-back layups by Williams and Hawkins gave the Red Raiders a 58-49 lead with 8:17 left.

A short time later, Toppin's layup made it a 10-point margin and he added two free throws for a 65-53 lead with 4:21 remaining.

Drake couldn't cut into Texas Tech's control and the game was put away when Christian Anderson drilled a 3-pointer with 2:37 left and Hawkins added a layup 37 seconds later to give the Red Raiders a 73-58 lead.

Toppin had 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting in the first half and Williams added 14 points as Texas Tech led 37-30.

Drake led 18-12 after a jumper by Combs with 11:08 left in the half before the Red Raiders ripped off 13 of the next 15 points. Toppin scored the final five points to give Texas Tech a 25-20 lead with 7:17 remaining.

Toppin later scored the final four points of the half as the Red Raiders led by seven.

--Field Level Media

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