Texas Tech Triumphs Over West Virginia
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — In a strong performance that saw him contribute significantly to the scoreline, JT Toppin netted 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds, leading No. 13 Texas Tech to a 70-63 triumph over West Virginia on Sunday. The victory was crucial for the Red Raiders, allowing them to snap a two-game losing streak and improve their season record to 17-6, with a 7-3 standing in Big 12 play.
Key Performers
Joining Toppin in the spotlight, Donovan Atwell scored 15 points, while Christian Anderson made a notable return from a brief illness, adding 13 points along with 11 assists. This win was especially vital for Texas Tech as they maintained the lead throughout the game without ever falling behind.
Mountaineers’ Efforts
For the Mountaineers, Brenen Lorient was the standout performer, contributing 20 points despite the loss, which marked only their second defeat in 15 home games this season. West Virginia initially made a strong push after halftime, scoring the first four baskets to close in on Texas Tech, narrowing a 13-point disadvantage to just four points at 39-35. However, a lengthy scoring drought of four minutes hindered their comeback efforts.
Game Highlights
The Red Raiders responded effectively with a barrage of 3-pointers, as Jaylen Petty, Atwell, and Toppin each drained shots from beyond the arc in rapid succession, extending their lead to 52-37 with just over 13 minutes left in the game. Although Lorient made a late push, scoring nine points in the final minutes, it wasn’t enough to reclaim the advantage.
Shooting Struggles
While Texas Tech excelled with 13 successful 3-point attempts, West Virginia struggled significantly, making only 2 out of their 22 tries from long range. Additionally, the Mountaineers’ performance at the free-throw line was disappointing, converting just 13 of 23 attempts, which is under 57%. Toppin, who averages 21.8 points per game, had come off a quieter game against Kansas where he scored just 10 points—one of his lowest this year.
Coaching Storyline
This matchup also had a personal storyline, featuring West Virginia’s new head coach Ross Hodge facing off against his former mentor, Grant McCasland. Hodge served as an assistant to McCasland for seven years at both Arkansas State and North Texas before stepping up to coach the Mean Green when McCasland took the helm at Texas Tech in 2023.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Texas Tech will next host Colorado on Wednesday, while West Virginia is set to visit UCF on Saturday.
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