KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Thursday night, March 13, 2025, the stage was set at T-Mobile Center for the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals, with No. 9 Texas Tech taking on Baylor. The game was dramatic, with Texas Tech narrowly securing a 76-74 victory over the Bears, marking yet another exciting chapter in the postseason.
JT Toppin shone brightly for the Red Raiders, scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. This was Toppin's 15th double-double of the season, demonstrating his prowess on the hardwood. He went 10-for-19 from the field and also made two out of three shots from beyond the arc. Toppin, alongside his teammates, helped Texas Tech take control of the game early, establishing a 13-point lead by halftime.
“Tournament time, honestly, you don't get pretty points for winning; you just win and find a way to move on,” said Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland, acknowledging the challenges of playoff basketball. “Give Baylor a lot of credit because their physicality and zone caused us problems in the second half, and we got a little stagnant.”
Despite leading for much of the contest, the Red Raiders experienced growing pressure as they struggled to maintain their composure. After taking control early on, Texas Tech missed its final 10 field-goal attempts. They shot only 19.4% from the field during the second half, leaving Baylor with the opportunity to claw back.
Baylor was relentless, closing the gap and coming dangerously close to tying the game. With mere seconds left, VJ Edgecombe attempted a game-tying three-point shot at the buzzer but saw it ricochet off the rim, securing the Red Raiders' victory. Edgecombe scored 11 points, but it was Norchad Omier who led the Bears with an impressive 29 points and 15 rebounds, showing he is more than capable of carrying the team when needed.
After the game, Toppin acknowledged the efforts of his teammates and their dedication. “We prepared well, practicing, not taking no days off, just because we got two byes,” he stated. “Still in the gym staying together, so that's really helped for this game.”
While Toppin was the star of the night, he wasn’t alone. Darrion Williams contributed 14 points for Texas Tech, with Elijah Hawkins and Kerwin Walton each adding 12 points. Williams excelled from the three-point line, going 4-for-6, highlighting the Red Raiders' remarkable shooting prowess from distance. The team recorded 15 three-pointers throughout the game, aligning with their season average and showcasing their strength from beyond the arc.
The first half was particularly notable for Texas Tech, who set the pace from three-point range. They hit 12 of 19 shots from deep, making for 63.2% accuracy, which was one of the season’s high points. On the flip side, Baylor struggled, hitting only 4 of 16 from three-point range, exemplifying their difficulties throughout the game.
“I think we were ready to go from the jump,” Williams said, reflecting on their preparation and focus leading up to the match. Texas Tech took advantage of multiple scoring opportunities early on, with Walton hitting the team’s first three-pointer right from the opening possession, catapulting them to an early lead.
Throughout the game, Texas Tech displayed impressive rebounding skills, noted by their edge on the boards with 40 total rebounds compared to Baylor's 38. Notably, Toppin pulled down six offensive rebounds, helping his team regain possession at key moments and create second-chance opportunities.
Despite the win, coach McCasland acknowledged their performance was not without faults. “I did think we lost a little bit of pop to get to the next action,” he explained about the late-game struggles as his team’s shots began to fall short. “We knew what we were trying to get, but sometimes you get fatigued.”
Looking forward, Texas Tech (25-7) now prepares for their semifinal match against Arizona, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025. Arizona advanced with their own victory over Kansas, winning 88-77 earlier the same day. The matchup promises to be competitive, with both teams having split their previous encounters this season.
The stakes are high as the Red Raiders continue their pursuit of conference glory, aiming to improve upon their strong season and carry momentum as they approach the NCAA Tournament. With Texas Tech’s balance of fresh talent and seasoned experience, the team’s potential for success looks bright.
Baylor, meanwhile, will look to regroup and assess their performance as they prepare for their future endeavors. Projected to earn an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament, they’ll need to find ways to support their star player, Omier, to make significant strides.
This year’s Big 12 Tournament has offered up thrilling moments and uncertain outcomes, and as the championship approaches, the excitement only continues to build.