If there were any lingering doubts about Texas Tech’s place in the Big 12 race, they got answered Saturday night in Lubbock.
No. 12 Texas Tech delivered one of its most impressive performances of the season, knocking off No. 6 Houston 90–86 at United Supermarkets Arena. The win snapped Houston’s 16-game road winning streak, ended an 11-game overall run by the Cougars, and gave the Red Raiders their second top-10 victory of the year.
At the center of it all was JT Toppin, who put together another dominant night with 31 points and 12 rebounds for his 13th double-double of the season. Against one of the most physical teams in the country, Toppin imposed his will on the glass, pulling down six offensive rebounds and finishing efficiently at the rim and the free-throw line. His performance reinforced why he now leads the Big 12 in double-doubles and continues to be one of the league’s most consistent stars.
Texas Tech’s backcourt provided the knockout punch. Jaylen Petty and Donovan Atwell combined to hit nine 3-pointers, with each scoring 18 points. Atwell stayed scorching hot from deep after his big night at Baylor earlier in the week, while Petty added eight rebounds and timely shot-making whenever Houston threatened to seize momentum.
The game itself was a grind, full of swings and momentum shifts. Tech built a six-point halftime lead behind hot perimeter shooting, but Houston responded with a second-half surge that briefly pushed the Cougars in front. Rather than folding, the Red Raiders steadied themselves. A pair of Toppin free throws tied the game at 71, and Atwell’s fourth three-pointer put Tech ahead for good with six minutes remaining. From there, the Red Raiders closed the door at the line, sealing the win with calm execution in the final seconds.
Beyond the headline scorers, Texas Tech won this game with effort and depth. The Red Raiders dominated the glass 44–28, including a massive edge on the offensive boards. Christian Anderson orchestrated the offense with nine assists to go along with 12 points, while Josiah Moseley made a productive season debut by contributing six points and six rebounds in just 10 minutes. Every possession felt earned, and every rebound felt contested.
The numbers tell the story of toughness. Tech went 12-of-29 from three, knocked down 24 of 30 free throws, and consistently punished Houston with second-chance opportunities. The Cougars shot well from deep themselves, but couldn’t overcome Tech’s rebounding advantage or composure late.
The victory pushed Texas Tech to five straight wins, a perfect 11–0 record at home, and a 6–1 mark in Big 12 play. It also evened the season series with Houston after the Red Raiders fell in the first meeting back on January 6. Fittingly, both teams have now split the regular-season series in back-to-back seasons, with home court proving decisive.
For Texas Tech, this wasn’t just another win. It was a statement about resilience, physicality, and growth. Beating a top-10 opponent is impressive. Doing it by standing firm when tired, answering every run, and winning the toughness battle says even more.
