No. 13 Texas Tech watched a perfect home record slip away Monday night in a game that felt like a Big 12 gut check from start to finish.
The Red Raiders were in control late at United Supermarkets Arena, holding a 59–50 lead with just over six minutes remaining. From there, No. 11 Kansas flipped the script. The Jayhawks closed the game on a 14–2 surge, including an 8–0 run to finish it, stealing a 64–61 win and handing Tech its first home loss of the season.
It was a night defined by swings and tension. The game featured 10 lead changes and six ties, with neither team able to separate until Kansas found answers in the final minutes. Texas Tech fell to 16–6 overall and 6–3 in Big 12 play, dropping to 11–1 at home. Kansas improved to 17–5 and 7–2 in the league, extending its winning streak to six.
Tech coach Grant McCasland pointed to the competitiveness of his team but acknowledged the difference came down to execution late. Kansas made the necessary plays on both ends in crunch time, while the Red Raiders couldn’t quite finish possessions when it mattered most. With the Big 12 grind offering no breaks, the focus immediately shifts to resilience and improvement heading into the next matchup.
LeJuan Watts led the way for Texas Tech with a strong all-around performance, finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. He also added five assists and two steals, shouldering a heavy load in the absence of Christian Anderson, who missed the game after starting every contest this season and leading the conference in minutes played.
JT Toppin chipped in 10 points and six rebounds, while Donovan Atwell knocked down four 3-pointers on his way to 12 points and matched a season high with seven rebounds. Jaylen Petty added 11 points and three triples, giving Tech four players in double figures. Tyeree Bryan scored six points, and Jazz Henderson returned to action for the first time since early January, hitting the first 3-pointer of his career in nearly eight minutes off the bench.
Texas Tech won the rebounding battle 41–37 and dominated the offensive glass with a 15–5 edge, including seven offensive boards in the first six minutes of the second half. Despite those extra possessions, the Red Raiders struggled to convert from deep, finishing 12-for-40 from three-point range, and attempted just five free throws all night.
The Red Raiders trailed 32–29 at halftime but came out of the break with energy, ripping off an 11–0 run to grab a 42–36 lead. Another 8–0 spurt pushed the advantage to 55–45, and a Watts basket made it 59–50 with 6:05 remaining. From there, Kansas methodically worked its way back.
Flory Bidunga sparked the rally inside, and Darryn Peterson delivered the decisive blows. After a Bidunga dunk cut the deficit to three with just over two minutes left, Peterson buried a three to tie the game at 61. He followed it with another triple 36 seconds later to give Kansas the lead for good. Texas Tech had three chances from beyond the arc in the final half-minute but couldn’t find the equalizer.
Peterson finished with 19 points to lead the Jayhawks, while Melvin Council added 16. Bidunga chipped in 14 points and nine rebounds as Kansas shot 45.3 percent from the field and lived at the free-throw line late, going 10-for-13.
The first half set the tone for the drama to come. Kansas carried a 32–29 lead into the break after eight lead changes and five ties. Watts paced Tech early with 10 points, and Petty contributed eight points and six assists. The Jayhawks held a rebounding edge and controlled the paint in the opening 20 minutes, even as both teams struggled from three.
For Texas Tech, it marked the first time this season it has dropped back-to-back games. There won’t be much time to dwell on it. The Red Raiders head to Morgantown to face West Virginia on Sunday before returning home to host Colorado on Feb. 11, continuing a Big 12 schedule that offers no mercy—and demands quick responses after nights like this one.
