In a thrilling double-overtime game on February 12, 2025, the No. 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders secured a 111-106 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils at the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Head coach Grant McCasland expressed profound admiration for his team’s performance, highlighting the resilience, determination, and collective effort that defined the game.
The game was marked by an exceptional performance from sophomore forward JT Toppin, who achieved a career-high 41 points and 15 rebounds. Toppin’s contribution was pivotal, especially in the overtime periods where he added eight crucial points. His 17 successful field goals set a new Big 12 record for Texas Tech and were just one shy of the program’s all-time record. Reflecting on Toppin’s performance, McCasland stated, “JT Toppin going right to the basket was what I thought was 1A in what we wanted to do. I thought he was tremendous. He’s been working and is finally healthy and able to practice. I’ve been so impressed by his resilience and fight to get better. You can tell he’s just scratching what he’s capable of. I say that with a lot of confidence.”
The Red Raiders demonstrated remarkable depth, with four other players scoring in double figures. Darrion Williams achieved a season-high 27 points, while Chance McMillian, Kerwin Walton, and Christian Anderson contributed 14, 13, and 10 points respectively. Walton’s surge in the second half, where he scored 13 of Texas Tech’s first 15 points, was instrumental in keeping the team competitive. McMillian’s perfect performance from the free-throw line (7-for-7) added critical points in the tightly contested game.
The game’s intensity was evident, featuring 18 lead changes and exceptional shooting from both teams. Texas Tech shot 57.4% from the field, while Arizona State was close behind at 55.6%. The Red Raiders also dominated the boards, securing a 38-27 rebounding advantage, which proved crucial in a game where every possession mattered.
McCasland praised the team’s perseverance, stating, “This is what makes this fun. You play against the best teams and teams that have this kind of firepower and can you find a way to win. That’s fun. I go into the locker room and timeouts saying this is what you do this for. I loved our team’s fight to find a way. We have a lot of ways to win.”
The atmosphere in the United Supermarkets Arena played a significant role in energizing the team. McCasland acknowledged the impact of the home crowd, noting, “The atmosphere I always think is the difference in these wins. Just the energy in this building to get stops when you’re playing against an Arizona State team and Coach [Bobby] Hurley, man is that guy good at getting his team to scrap and fight and believe when they’ve had a hard season.”
This victory was particularly meaningful as it prevented Texas Tech from experiencing consecutive losses for the first time in the season, following a recent defeat to then-No. 20 Arizona. The win also improved the Red Raiders’ record to 19-5 overall and 10-3 in the Big 12 Conference, reinforcing their position as a formidable team in the league.
The game’s high score of 111 points set a new Big 12 record for Texas Tech and marked only the second time the team has surpassed 100 points in a Big 12 game, the first being a 102-75 victory over Texas A&M in 1998. This historic performance underscores the team’s offensive capabilities and resilience in high-pressure situations.
In summary, Coach Grant McCasland’s appreciation for the double-overtime victory over Arizona State stems from the team’s exceptional performance, resilience, and the electrifying support from the home crowd. The game exemplified the Red Raiders’ determination and ability to overcome adversity, qualities that will be essential as they continue their pursuit of excellence in the season ahead.
For more insights from Coach McCasland on this thrilling game, you can watch his post-game interview