For the first time in program history, the Texas Tech Red Raiders are stacking elite wins at a level that signals something bigger than just a good season. Saturday’s 82-73 road victory over the Iowa State Cyclones inside the notoriously difficult Hilton Coliseum wasn’t just another résumé booster. It marked the Red Raiders’ fourth top-10 win and third top-5 triumph of the year — both program firsts.
Tech didn’t sneak out of Ames with a lucky finish. The Red Raiders controlled the tone early, building a commanding 16-point halftime lead behind sharp perimeter shooting and balanced offensive production. By the time Iowa State mounted its expected second-half push, Texas Tech had already established the blueprint for how to survive one of the toughest environments in college basketball.
Head coach Grant McCasland has built this team around discipline and collective toughness, and Saturday reflected that identity. Tech protected the ball for most of the night and leaned into its depth, showcasing a roster capable of beating elite opponents in multiple ways.
Six Red Raiders reached double figures, led by a standout shooting performance from Donovan Atwell, who poured in 18 points while knocking down six three-pointers. Christian Anderson orchestrated the offense with 14 points and seven assists, continuing to demonstrate his value as the team’s primary facilitator.
Inside, Luke Bamgboye matched his season high with 13 points, while Jaylen Petty delivered one of the most complete performances of his career, scoring 12 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Contributions from Tyeree Bryan and Josiah Moseley, who added 10 points apiece, reinforced the team’s depth-first approach.
The perimeter shooting ultimately told the story. After a slow start from deep, Texas Tech caught fire and finished 14-of-29 from three-point range. Atwell set the tone, but timely second-half threes from Petty and Bryan helped shut down an Iowa State run that briefly trimmed a 20-point Tech lead to single digits.
Support came from everywhere, including LeJuan Watts, whose lone three-pointer stretched the margin back to double digits. Meanwhile, Iowa State leaned on Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic during its late surge, but the Cyclones never fully erased the deficit.
Perhaps most impressive was how Texas Tech managed the physical battle without All-American JT Toppin, who remains sidelined. The Red Raiders won the rebounding battle and held a scoring edge in the paint, emphasizing that this team’s success isn’t built around one star.
This victory adds to an already elite résumé that includes wins over the Arizona Wildcats, Duke Blue Devils, and Houston Cougars. Historically, Texas Tech’s best benchmark for top-10 success came in 2006-07 with wins over the Kansas Jayhawks and two victories against the Texas A&M Aggies. This season has now surpassed that standard.
Next up, the Red Raiders return home to face the TCU Horned Frogs at United Supermarkets Arena, where Tech has been nearly unbeatable. With March looming and momentum building, this team is no longer just collecting statement wins — it’s building a profile that suggests staying power deep into postseason play.
