Texas Tech Upsets No. 1 Arizona in Overtime Thriller

JT Toppin's clutch assist seals 78-75 victory for No. 16 Red Raiders

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In a thrilling overtime matchup, the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the top-ranked Arizona Wildcats 78-75 on Saturday. JT Toppin led the way for Texas Tech, scoring 31 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, including a crucial assist to Donovan Atwell for a game-tying 3-pointer in regulation that forced overtime. The win marks only the third time in program history that Texas Tech has defeated a No. 1 ranked team.

Why it matters

This upset victory over the nation's top-ranked team is a major boost for the Texas Tech program, demonstrating their ability to compete with and defeat elite competition. The win will likely propel the Red Raiders up the rankings and give them valuable momentum as they continue their conference schedule.

The details

Toppin's dominant performance included 13-of-22 shooting, three assists, two steals and one block. He played all but 41 seconds of the game. Christian Anderson added 19 points for Texas Tech, while Atwell hit the game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation. Arizona forward Tobe Awaka scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the losing effort.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • Texas Tech's last victory over a No. 1 ranked team was a 65-62 win over Baylor on January 11, 2022.

The players

JT Toppin

A standout forward for the Texas Tech Red Raiders who scored 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the upset victory over No. 1 Arizona.

Donovan Atwell

A key contributor for Texas Tech, hitting the game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime.

Tobe Awaka

An Arizona Wildcats forward who scored 16 points and had 12 rebounds in the losing effort.

Grant McCasland

The head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, emphasizing his team's dedication and preparation in the upset win.

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What they’re saying

“I knew he was going to be over there. We work on that every day.”

— JT Toppin (newsy-today.com)

“He has a really quick second jump. He has great body placement...He seems to always be in the right place at the right time.”

— Tobe Awaka, Arizona forward (newsy-today.com)

“We're not guessing — this isn't luck. These dudes practice hard and put themselves in position every day.”

— Grant McCasland, Texas Tech head coach (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

As Texas Tech continues its season, this road victory over the nation's top-ranked team will undoubtedly boost the Red Raiders' confidence and momentum moving forward. The team will look to build on this signature win as they navigate the challenging Big 12 conference schedule.

The takeaway

Texas Tech's upset victory over No. 1 Arizona demonstrates the program's ability to compete with and defeat elite competition. The Red Raiders' teamwork, preparation, and clutch playmaking were on full display, highlighting the program's growth and potential to make a deep postseason run.