Texas Tech Stuns No. 3 Duke at Madison Square Garden with Gritty Comeback Win
NEW YORK - For 30 minutes, it looked like Duke was going to add another quality win to an already impressive early-season résumé. They were up 17 in the second half, cruising behind Cameron Boozer’s all-around brilliance, and had a Garden crowd largely in their corner. But Texas Tech had other plans - and they weren’t leaving Manhattan quietly.
Behind a second-half explosion from sophomore guard Christian Anderson and a relentless, physical effort from forward LeJaun Watts, the No. 19 Red Raiders erased that 17-point deficit and shocked the third-ranked Blue Devils, 82-81, in a thriller that ended with a missed buzzer-beater and a whole lot of stunned faces in blue.
This one had everything: momentum swings, big shots, controversial calls, and a final sequence that will be replayed on highlight reels for weeks.
Anderson Ignites the Comeback
Anderson was quiet early - maybe even sluggish by his own admission - but he flipped the switch in the second half and never looked back. He poured in 23 of his 27 points after the break, including five made threes and a cold-blooded three-point play in the final two minutes that gave Texas Tech a four-point cushion.
With the game tied at 81 and the clock winding down, Anderson drew a foul from Duke’s Caleb Foster with 3.4 seconds left. He made the first free throw, missed the second, and Duke called timeout with 1.6 seconds left after grabbing the rebound. Cameron Boozer got a decent look from the left wing at the buzzer, but it clanged off the rim - and just like that, the Blue Devils’ perfect season was over.
Boozer Shines, But Free Throws Haunt Duke
Cameron Boozer was once again the engine for Duke, finishing with 23 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. He was a matchup nightmare for Texas Tech, using his size and skill to get whatever he wanted inside the arc.
But the freshman also left points at the line, missing five of his 14 free throws - and Duke as a team went just 17-of-29 from the stripe. In a one-point game, that’s the story.
Duke had a chance to close this one out. They led 46-36 at halftime and pushed the lead to 17 early in the second half. But they couldn’t put the game away, and Texas Tech made them pay.
Watts Brings the Fire
While JT Toppin battled foul trouble for much of the second half, it was LeJaun Watts who gave Duke fits. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward - a transfer from Washington State - played bigger than his frame, bullying his way into the paint and scoring over anyone Duke threw at him. Watts finished with 20 points, six boards, and three assists before fouling out with over 11 minutes to go.
He set the tone early, scoring inside and helping Tech jump out to a 9-0 lead before Duke found its rhythm. Even after he fouled out, his energy had clearly sparked something in the Red Raiders - and they rode that wave all the way to the final buzzer.
Officiating Adds Drama
This game had its share of officiating drama, too. In the first half, JT Toppin was initially called for a third foul after a collision with Duke’s Khaman Ngongba.
But after review, the foul was flipped - Ngongba was hit with a flagrant-1 instead. That reversal drew a heated reaction from Duke head coach Jon Scheyer.
Later, Dame Sarr buried a three and got hit with a technical foul amid the celebration - the kind of moment that leaves everyone guessing what was said or done. Scheyer also successfully challenged a goaltending call in the second half, turning what could’ve been a critical bucket for Tech into a Duke possession.
In a game this tight, every whistle mattered - and both benches spent plenty of time working the officials.
Fast Start, Slow Finish
Duke’s recent trend of slow starts reared its head again. Just like in their previous outing against Lipscomb, the Blue Devils found themselves down early - this time 9-0 - before clawing back. Nik Khamenia hit a corner three to get them on the board, and they eventually took control, leading by 10 at the break.
But unlike the Lipscomb game, this time the early stumble came back to bite them. Texas Tech’s defense tightened up, and their offense - led by Anderson’s shot-making and Toppin’s clutch baseline fadeaway - kept chipping away.
Duke had their chances late. Cayden Boozer drilled a corner three to cut the lead to one.
Cameron Boozer had a chance to give them the lead at the line with 15 seconds left but hit only one of two. That set the stage for Anderson’s game-winning free throw.
What It Means
For Duke, it’s a gut-punch loss - their first of the season after wins over Kansas, Florida, Michigan State, Arkansas, and Texas. But it’s also a reminder that free throws, defensive lapses, and missed opportunities can undo even the most talented teams.
For Texas Tech, this is a statement win. They didn’t just hang with a top-three team - they out-fought them in crunch time, on a big stage, in one of the most iconic arenas in the sport. Anderson’s breakout second half, Toppin’s toughness, and Watts’ physicality all point to a team that isn’t just talented, but battle-tested.
It’s only December, but this one felt like March. And if Saturday night was any indication, both of these teams could be making noise when the real madness begins.