NCAAMB Games of the Weekend: December 20-21

19 TEXAS TECH VS 3 DUKE

Photo by Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo

The Texas Tech Red Raiders were down as much as 17 in the second half to the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils, but the opponent or the stage did not phase them. Texas Texh would pull out a comeback win in Madison Square Garden, shocking the nation with an 82-81 victory over Duke.

The first half started with Texas Tech firing on cylinders. The Red Raiders started the game on a 13-5 run, setting the tone early by scoring 10 of their first 13 points in the paint.

It took nearly five minutes for Duke to arise from their slumber, but when they did they were back in the game. They would get their first lead of the game after going on a 14-5 run in response to Texas Tech's early run.

In the first half, the Boozer brothers and Duke's long-range accuracy help them finish the first half strong. Cayden and Cameron Boozer combined for 18 points in the first half, and Duke drilled 7 threes as the Blue Devils took a 46-36 lead into the locker room.

Halftime did not cool down the Duke sharpshooters. As Duke opened up the second half, they drilled two buckets from beyond the arch, and by the 16:31 mark, Duke had their largest lead of the game at 17. Texas Tech looked to be in deep waters against the undefeated Duke Blue Devils, but they kept their heads above water by chipping away at the deficit as the second half progressed.

At the 12:07 mark, a Christian Anderson three-pointer would cut the Blue Devil lead to 9. That would be the start of a 10-0 run to make it a two-point game with nearly 10 minutes left in the game. Duke would respond by going on a 11-2 scoring run of his own to push the lead back up to 11.

Down by 11 with 6:29 left in the game, Texas Tech needed their playmakers to step up, and they did. Sophomore guard Christian Anderson and junior forward JT Toppin were responsible for Texas Tech's last nine buckets down the stretch.

Texas Tech showed resilience in the biggest game they had all season. Anderson and Toppin handled themselves with poise down the stretch, which was critical for the comeback win, especially with their third-leading scorer Lejuan Watts fouling out halfway through the second half. Anderson, Toppin, and Watts combined for 66 points in the comeback win.

After dropping their first three games, Texas Tech got their first win against a ranked opponent this season, and their first win against a top 5 ranked team since 2022.

Key to Victory: Christian Anderson and JT Toppin

Christian Anderson scored 23 of his 27 points in the second half, and JT Toppin finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Toppin’s third double-double in the last four games. He also played smart in the second half, after picking up his fourth foul only five minutes into the second half.

Next for the Red Raiders: Sunday, December 28 vs Winthrop Eagles at 2:00 PM EST

Next for the Blue Devils: Wednesday, December 31 vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 4:00 EST

ARIZONA STATE VS OREGON STATE

Photo by James Snook/Imagn Images

The Oregon State Beavers closed non-conference play with an upset win over the Arizona State Sun Devils, defeating the Sun Devils 78-76. This is the Beavers first road win against Arizona State since 2007.

In the first half, Oregon State got off to a hot start, opening up the game on a 16-6 run. As the half went on, Arizona State got back into the game by scoring in paint, drawing fouls, and converting at the free throw line. Arizona State went 14-15 in the first half from the charity stripe. Arizona State took a narrow two point lead into the locker room, leading 40-38.

In the second half, Arizona State led by as much as 11 points. The Beavers overcame the deficit on the back of junior guard Josiah Lake II. The Tualatin, Oregon native scored 12 of his 23 points in the second half. He also added 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.

Lake’s best game of the season thus far came at a perfect time, as the Oregon State bounced back after a disappointing loss against Sam Houston last Wednesday. This win also puts the Beavers over .500 to wrap up non-conference play.

Key to Victory: Late game shot making

The Beavers went 3-3 from the field and 10-12 from the free throw line to close the game.

Next for the Beavers: December 28 vs Santa Clara Broncos at 6:00 PM EST

Next for the Sun Devils: January 3 vs Colorado Buffaloes at 5:00 PM EST

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)