The Red Raiders drill 14 3s, dominate the glass, and secure their fourth top-10 win in a statement Big 12 victory.
Texas Tech basketball just delivered a March-level message in late February as the No. 16 Red Raiders stormed into Hilton Coliseum - one of the toughest road environments in college basketball - and knocked off No. 4 Iowa State, 82-73, to secure their fourth top-10 win of the season.
It’s the first time in program history that Texas Tech has beaten four top-10 teams in a single year, and remarkably, three of those have come against top-five opponents.
Grant McCasland’s squad improved to 22-7 overall and 12-4 in Big 12 play by jumping on the Cyclones early and never fully surrendering control.
Texas Tech built a 16-point halftime lead behind a blistering perimeter attack and gritty rebounding effort, then withstood a late Iowa State push to close it out at the free-throw line.
Donovan Atwell was lights out. The sharpshooter buried six 3-pointers and finished with 18 points, setting the tone with five first-half triples.
Christian Anderson added 14 points and seven assists, while Luke Bamgboye chipped in 13. Jaylen Petty stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points and nine rebounds, drilling key shots when Iowa State threatened.
In total, six Red Raiders reached double figures. After opening just 3-of-10 from deep, Texas Tech caught fire and finished 14-of-29 (48.3 percent) from beyond the arc.
Even without All-American JT Toppin, who is sidelined for the season, Tech controlled the boards 35-29 and held a 30-24 edge in paint scoring.
Seven different players recorded rebounds, highlighting the team-first identity McCasland has preached all year.
Iowa State cut the lead to single digits in the second half with a 10-0 run, but Petty answered with a clutch 3 and jumper to halt the surge. Atwell followed with his sixth triple, and Tyeree Bryan added a layup that restored breathing room. Free throws sealed the deal.
Texas Tech now owns wins over No. 1 Arizona, No. 3 Duke, No. 6 Houston and No. 4 Iowa State. That body of work speaks loudly.
The Red Raiders return to Lubbock for their home finale against TCU, carrying momentum and a growing belief that this season could stretch deep into March.