Texas Tech Defeats Cincinnati in Big 12 Matchup

Red Raiders overcome loss of star forward JT Toppin to win second straight game

Feb. 25, 2026 at 7:51am

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In a Big 12 men's basketball matchup, the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats 80-68 on Tuesday night. Christian Anderson led the way for Texas Tech with 31 points and 11 rebounds, filling the void left by the season-ending knee injury to star forward JT Toppin. Moustapha Thiam had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Cincinnati, whose four-game winning streak was snapped.

Why it matters

This game was an important test for Texas Tech following the loss of Toppin, one of the nation's top double-double leaders. The Red Raiders proved they can still win without their star player, keeping them in contention in the competitive Big 12 conference. For Cincinnati, the loss ends their recent hot streak and raises questions about their ability to compete against top teams without Toppin's presence.

The details

Christian Anderson had a career night for Texas Tech, recording his eighth double-double of the season with 31 points and 11 rebounds. The Red Raiders used a 15-2 run to close the first half, capped by a 3-pointer from Donovan Atwell, to take the lead for good. Cincinnati's Moustapha Thiam kept the game close with 21 points and 10 rebounds, but Texas Tech was able to pull away in the second half.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
  • Texas Tech's star forward JT Toppin suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to this game.

The players

Christian Anderson

A guard for the Texas Tech Red Raiders who had a career-high 31 points and 11 rebounds in the game, filling the void left by the injury to star forward JT Toppin.

Moustapha Thiam

A forward for the Cincinnati Bearcats who had 21 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.

JT Toppin

The star forward for the Texas Tech Red Raiders who suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to this game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Red Raiders will look to build on this win when they travel to face No. 4 Iowa State on Saturday.

The takeaway

This game showcased Texas Tech's ability to adapt and win without their star player, demonstrating the team's depth and resilience in the face of adversity. Meanwhile, Cincinnati's loss raises concerns about their competitiveness against top teams in the absence of Toppin's contributions.