The Texas Tech Red Raiders delivered a resounding statement on Saturday, February 21, 2026, as they overwhelmed the Kansas State Wildcats 100-72 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. The win, which aired on FOX and streamed on Fubo, marked the Red Raiders’ first game without star forward JT Toppin, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury just days earlier against Arizona State. Yet, the team showed no signs of slowing down, notching their 20th victory of the season and improving to 10-4 in Big 12 play under head coach Grant McCasland.
Donovan Atwell was the name on everyone’s lips after the final buzzer. The sharpshooting guard put on a clinic, draining six three-pointers and racking up a season-high 26 points. Atwell’s performance was not just a personal milestone—it was a historic one for the program. His six triples brought his season total to 100, breaking Cory Carr’s long-standing Texas Tech single-season record of 94 set back in the 1996-97 campaign. Atwell’s accuracy was dazzling, as he finished 6-for-9 from deep and now boasts a 45.7% mark from beyond the arc this season.
"After a really trying week and our game on Tuesday it was really special to be back in the USA," McCasland said, referring to the United Supermarkets Arena. "It felt like there was a genuine belief and energy from everyone who was there to support us. The students were amazing and I'm really thankful. Our team came together and played for each other. It really says a lot about this group and how much they love each other and how competitive we were through a tough game and situation. I'm thrilled with the outcome."
Christian Anderson was equally pivotal for Texas Tech, finishing with 21 points and orchestrating the offense with nine assists. Anderson, who knocked down three of his six three-point attempts, now sits just three threes shy of matching Carr’s former record. The Red Raiders’ offense was humming all afternoon, shooting 46.4% from long range (13-for-28) and making at least 10 three-pointers for the 21st time in 27 games this season.
Texas Tech’s balanced attack was evident as all five starters reached double figures. LeJuan Watts contributed 19 points and six rebounds, hitting all six of his free throws and adding two assists and a block. Luke Bamgboye, stepping up in Toppin’s absence, started and provided 12 points, six rebounds, and three blocked shots. Jaylen Petty rounded out the starting five with 10 points and four assists. Off the bench, Josiah Moseley grabbed five rebounds and added four points, while Marial Akuentok chipped in with four rebounds and two points.
The Red Raiders dominated the glass, outrebounding Kansas State 40-28, and converted 19 of 23 free throws, further highlighting their efficiency. Their 100-point output was the second time this season they had reached triple digits in Big 12 play, trailing only a 102-80 win over Oklahoma State on January 3. In fact, it was just the fourth time in program history that Texas Tech has scored 100 or more points in a Big 12 game. The win also improved their home record to an impressive 13-1, reinforcing United Supermarkets Arena as one of the toughest venues in the conference.
Kansas State, meanwhile, struggled to keep pace. The Wildcats entered the contest on the heels of a morale-boosting 90-74 win over Baylor that snapped a six-game losing streak. However, they quickly found themselves in trouble against the Red Raiders’ relentless offense. Interim coach Matthew Driscoll, who took the reins after Jerome Tang was dismissed on February 15, could not replicate the success of his debut victory. The Wildcats fell behind early, trailing 34-17 with just over eight minutes left in the first half, and went into halftime down 49-35 after being out-rebounded 21-11.
PJ Haggerty led Kansas State with 17 points, while Nate Johnson added 15 and Taj Manning chipped in 10. The Wildcats’ starting lineup featured Haggerty, David Castillo, Johnson, Manning, and Khamari McGriff. Despite some promising moments, Kansas State shot just 30% from three-point range (6-for-20) and struggled at the free-throw line, making only 10 of 17 attempts. The Wildcats’ road woes continued, as their record away from home dropped to 1-8.
Texas Tech’s defensive intensity was evident from the opening tip. The Red Raiders’ length and athleticism caused problems for Kansas State, who managed just three offensive rebounds in the early going. Atwell’s hot hand helped Texas Tech double up the Wildcats at 34-17, and a 7-0 run in the first half set the tone for the rest of the game. The Red Raiders made nine straight shots during a backbreaking stretch, capped by a lob dunk from Moseley that brought the home crowd to its feet.
By halftime, Atwell had already poured in 21 points and made five threes, while Anderson was orchestrating the offense with five points, four assists, and three rebounds. Watts and Petty each had six points at the break, and Bamgboye contributed five points and four rebounds. The Red Raiders’ depth was on display, as all eight players who saw first-half action grabbed at least one rebound.
For Kansas State, the loss underscored the challenges of playing under a new coach and without the stability that comes with a consistent lineup. The Wildcats’ recent firing of Jerome Tang and the absence of key players like Abdi Bashir, who was a game-time decision but did not play, left the team searching for answers. Their upcoming schedule doesn’t get any easier, with a road trip to Colorado on February 25, a home clash with TCU on February 28, and a matchup against West Virginia on March 3.
Texas Tech, on the other hand, looks poised for a strong finish to the regular season. The Red Raiders will host Cincinnati on February 24 before traveling to take on No. 6 Iowa State on February 28. With Atwell and Anderson firing on all cylinders and the team rallying around the adversity of losing Toppin, the Red Raiders have their sights set on a deep run in both the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments.
Saturday’s emphatic win not only showcased Texas Tech’s offensive firepower but also their resilience in the face of adversity. As Coach McCasland put it, "Our team came together and played for each other. It really says a lot about this group and how much they love each other and how competitive we were through a tough game and situation." With the home crowd behind them and history being made, the Red Raiders are charging ahead, ready for whatever challenges the rest of the season may bring.