Red-Hot Red Raiders Dominate Winthrop, Head into Big 12 Play on a High Note
LUBBOCK, TX - Texas Tech is heading into Big 12 play with the kind of momentum you want to bottle up and carry with you all season long. The No. 15-ranked Red Raiders closed out non-conference action in dominant fashion, dismantling Winthrop 87-57 at United Supermarkets Arena on Sunday. That’s three straight wins, a perfect 7-0 mark at home, and a 46-game home winning streak in non-conference play - the kind of consistency that speaks volumes.
This one was over early. Texas Tech came out firing, opening the game on a 7-0 run before unleashing a 24-0 blitz that ballooned the lead to 35-4.
From there, it was cruise control. It marked the third time this season the Red Raiders have won by 30 or more, and they did it with a mix of high-octane offense and suffocating defense.
Christian Anderson: The Engine That Keeps Running
Christian Anderson continues to look like one of the most dynamic guards in the country. He poured in 29 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out five assists - all while making it look smooth and under control.
His shot was falling from deep (4-for-9 on threes), and he was perfect at the line. Add in last week’s 27-point outing against Duke, and Anderson’s averaging 20.6 points and 7.1 assists per game.
That’s not just production - that’s leadership in action.
Petty Makes a Statement in First Start
Jaylen Petty made the most of his first career start, dropping a career-high 20 points on 6-of-8 shooting. He also went 6-of-7 from the free-throw line and looked confident and composed throughout.
Petty had shown flashes earlier this season, but this performance - especially in a starting role - may earn him more minutes moving forward. He didn’t just fill a spot in the lineup; he made a case to stay there.
Toppin Does What Toppin Does
JT Toppin continued his double-double parade, notching his seventh of the season (14 points, 11 rebounds) and the 38th of his career. His five offensive boards set the tone early, and his presence in the paint gave Texas Tech second-chance opportunities that helped fuel that first-half avalanche. Toppin’s been the steady hand inside all season, and that kind of frontcourt consistency is going to be crucial as the Red Raiders enter conference play.
Atwell Adds Firepower from Deep
Donovan Atwell rounded out the quartet of double-digit scorers with 14 points, including four makes from beyond the arc. His shooting helped stretch the Winthrop defense, and his 4-for-9 mark from deep matched Anderson’s. When Atwell is locked in from long range, it gives Tech another dimension offensively - and that was on full display Sunday.
Defense Turns the Lights Out on Winthrop
Coming into the game, Winthrop had been lighting up the scoreboard - averaging over 90 points per game while shooting better than 47% from the field and 37% from deep. But Texas Tech’s defense slammed the door shut.
The Eagles were held to just 31.7% shooting overall and a brutal 4-for-25 (16%) from three-point range. Add 15 turnovers to the mix, and it was a long night for Winthrop.
Credit the Red Raiders’ defensive intensity - this was a team effort, start to finish. Head coach Grant McCasland called it “some of the best basketball we’ve played all season,” and it’s hard to argue. The first 20 minutes were a clinic: ball movement, defensive rotations, shot selection - everything clicking at once.
A First-Half Masterclass
By halftime, Texas Tech had built a 59-21 lead. Anderson already had 25 points.
Toppin was nearly at a double-double. The team shot a blistering 65.6% from the field and hit 9-of-15 from deep.
That’s not just hot shooting - that’s execution. Meanwhile, Winthrop couldn’t buy a bucket, going just 6-of-28 from the field and 1-of-14 from three.
The Red Raiders also won the hustle stats early, holding a 22-12 edge on the boards and racking up deflections and stops that fueled transition opportunities. It was the kind of first half that shows what this team is capable of when everything comes together.
Next Up: Big 12 Play Begins
Now, it’s time for the real test. Texas Tech opens Big 12 play at home against Oklahoma State on January 3.
The Cowboys are 11-1 and will be coming off a Monday night matchup against Bethune-Cookman. It’s a quick turnaround and a step up in competition, but the Red Raiders look ready.
With Anderson leading the backcourt, Toppin anchoring the paint, and role players stepping up in big ways, Texas Tech is heading into conference play with confidence - and a warning shot to the rest of the Big 12. This team is deep, balanced, and locked in. And if Sunday’s performance was any indication, they’re just getting started.