JT Toppin, Texas Tech too strong for Arizona

Field Level Media|published: Sat 18th January, 16:32 2025

Jan 14, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd yells toward players during the first half of the game against the Baylor Bears at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

JT Toppin collected 20 points and 16 rebounds to fuel host Texas Tech to a 70-54 victory over Arizona on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas.

Chance McMillian scored 14 points in a gritty home win one week after the Red Raiders (13-4, 4-2 Big 12) squandered a chance to knock off No. 2-ranked Iowa State.

Texas Tech has won four of its last five games.

Jaden Bradley scored 11 points and Carter Bryant added 10 -- all in the first half -- for the Wildcats (11-6, 5-1), who saw their seven-game winning streak come to a halt. Tobe Akawa snared 14 rebounds to go along with eight points in the loss.

Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm before Texas Tech managed to settle into a timely groove. On the way to their first conference home win this season, the Red Raiders closed the game on a 13-0 run over the last 4:18.

The Wildcats missed their final 13 shots and ended the game connecting on only 31 percent from the floor (18 of 58).

Arizona particularly struggled in the second half, missing 21 of 29 field goals (11 of 12 from 3-point range) despite beginning the half on a 7-0 run to forge a 33-33 tie.

Texas Tech led 33-26 at halftime despite shooting woes in the opening 20 minutes, largely because the Wildcats endured similar offensive struggles.

Arizona made only 10 shots from the floor in the first half, with Bryant hitting 4-of-5 and the rest of the team hitting only 6-of-24. The Red Raiders were slightly better at 12-for-33 but managed to gain the upper hand by winning the battle on the boards 25-17.

Toppin correlated seven rebounds to lead the way, while McMillian snatched four to go with a team-best eight points in the first frame.

--Field Level Media