The atmosphere inside McKale Center at ALKEME Arena was electric on Saturday, February 14, 2026, as the top-ranked Arizona Wildcats squared off against the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders in a matchup that had college basketball fans glued to their screens. ESPN’s College GameDay had rolled into Tucson, the crowd was buzzing, and a halftime Ring of Honor ceremony for former Wildcat guard Caleb Love only added to the spectacle. But what unfolded on the court was nothing short of a Big 12 thriller—one that ended with Texas Tech stunning Arizona 78-75 in overtime, handing the Wildcats their second consecutive loss after a school-record 23-0 start to the season.
Coming into this nationally televised clash, Arizona (23-2, 10-2 Big 12) was riding high despite a recent setback against Kansas. The Wildcats were favored by 9.5 points according to FanDuel Sportsbook, and KenPom.com gave them an 85 percent chance of victory. Yet, as the action tipped off at 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time, it quickly became apparent that Texas Tech (19-6, 9-3) had no intention of playing the part of underdog quietly.
From the opening whistle, both teams traded blows in a contest marked by 11 lead changes and 11 ties. Arizona led for more than 26 minutes, but the Red Raiders answered every run. The Wildcats, missing key contributors Dwayne Aristode (illness) and later Koa Peat (lower body injury in the second half), were forced to rely on a tight six-man rotation. Peat managed just two points and a rebound in 11 first-half minutes before exiting, leaving coach Tommy Lloyd to improvise with his bench.
Still, Arizona’s depth shone through at times. Five Wildcats scored in double figures, led by freshman Brayden Burries and Tobe Awaka, each pouring in 16 points. Awaka was a force on the glass, grabbing 12 rebounds for a double-double and helping Arizona to a narrow 41-39 edge in total boards. Motiejus Krivas also contributed with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Ivan Kharchenkov added 13 points—including two clutch free throws with 16.4 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 66.
The Wildcats were aggressive in the paint, attacking relentlessly to compensate for a cold night from beyond the arc—they shot just 4-of-16 from three-point range. Arizona finished 39.3 percent from the field and made 23 of 31 free throws, but it was their ball security that stood out: only three turnovers all night, compared to seven for Texas Tech. Jaden Bradley chipped in 11 points and four assists, though his last-gasp three-pointer at the buzzer in overtime fell short, sealing Arizona’s fate.
On the other side, Texas Tech’s JT Toppin delivered a performance for the ages. The preseason All-America selection erupted for 31 points and 13 rebounds, with eight of those points coming in the decisive overtime period. Toppin’s dominance in the paint and on the offensive glass—especially in the final minute—was the difference-maker. “Toppin was relentless,” one commentator noted, as he notched his 47th career double-double.
Christian Anderson was equally pivotal for the Red Raiders, scoring 19 points and dishing out eight assists, directly contributing to more than half of Texas Tech’s made field goals. Anderson’s six made three-pointers kept the Red Raiders within striking distance throughout, and his poise under pressure was evident, even as he missed a potential game-winner at the end of regulation. Donovan Atwell added 11 points, including a critical corner three-pointer in overtime that gave Texas Tech a four-point cushion with just over two minutes to play.
The first half was a defensive slog at times, with both teams struggling to find rhythm. Arizona built an early eight-point lead on a pair of Burries free throws, but Texas Tech clawed back, capitalizing on Wildcat miscues and missed free throws. Toppin’s short jumper gave the Red Raiders their first lead late in the half, but the teams went into the break knotted at 32-32.
As the second half unfolded, Arizona appeared to seize control, stretching its lead to 59-53 on a Kharchenkov layup off an out-of-bounds play. The Wildcats maintained a two-score lead well into the final minutes, but Texas Tech refused to back down. With Arizona up 64-57 and just 3:29 remaining, the Red Raiders unleashed a furious 9-0 run. Atwell’s three-pointer from the corner with 25 seconds left put Texas Tech ahead 66-64, capping a stretch where the Wildcats went more than three minutes without a field goal.
Kharchenkov’s free throws tied the game, and Arizona’s defense forced Anderson into a tough jumper as the horn sounded, sending the contest to overtime. In the extra session, Awaka briefly gave Arizona the lead with two free throws, but Toppin and Atwell answered, combining for three baskets and a timely triple. Texas Tech shot 5-of-8 from the field in overtime and closed out the game at the free-throw line, with Arizona unable to convert on its final possessions.
Despite holding Texas Tech to 40.9 percent shooting overall and outscoring the Red Raiders 23-6 in bench points, the Wildcats couldn’t overcome the visitors’ hot shooting from deep—Tech finished with 11 made three-pointers. The Red Raiders’ timely execution, particularly in the closing moments of regulation and overtime, proved decisive.
For Arizona, the loss marked not only their second straight defeat but also a rare stumble at home, where 14,688 fans packed the stands and the energy was palpable. The Wildcats now look to regroup quickly, with No. 22 BYU coming to town on Wednesday, February 18, for another high-stakes Big 12 showdown. The team will don their special ‘Galaxy Slam’ uniforms, hoping to recapture the magic that fueled their remarkable 23-0 start.
Texas Tech, meanwhile, heads to Arizona State on February 17 with renewed momentum and the confidence that comes from toppling the nation’s No. 1 team for just the third time in program history. As for Arizona, the message is clear: in the grind of the Big 12, there’s no time to dwell on heartbreak. The Wildcats will need to rally, recover, and get ready for the next battle—because in this league, the drama never stops.