KANSAS CITY, MO — No. 9 Texas Tech held off a late surge from Baylor to claim a 76-74 win in the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship quarterfinals on Thursday night at T-Mobile Center. With the victory, the Red Raiders advance to Friday’s semifinal, where they will face the winner of Arizona vs. Kansas at 8 p.m.
The second-seeded Red Raiders (25-7) set a program record in the Big 12 tournament by making 15 3-pointers, including a blistering 12-for-19 (63.2%) performance in the first half. Baylor (19-14) struggled from long range, shooting just 4-for-16 from beyond the arc.
JT Toppin recorded his 15th double-double of the season, leading Tech with 26 points and 10 rebounds. He shot 10-for-19 from the field and 2-of-3 from 3-point range while grabbing six offensive rebounds. Elijah Hawkins added a double-double with 12 points and 11 assists, setting a new Texas Tech Big 12 tournament record by surpassing Kasib Powell’s 10-assist performance in 2003.
Darrion Williams contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, shooting 4-for-6 from deep, while Kerwin Walton also knocked down four 3-pointers to finish with 12 points. Hawkins made three 3-pointers, and Christian Anderson added six points with two triples.
Tech shot 15-for-34 (44.1%) from 3-point range—marking its fifth game this season with 15 or more made 3s. The Red Raiders also went 11-of-16 at the free-throw line, committed just seven turnovers, and dished out 16 assists. Despite being outscored 44-18 in the paint, Tech’s perimeter dominance and ball security proved decisive.
Texas Tech led by as many as 15 points in the first half, taking a 52-39 advantage into the break. Williams led the early charge, hitting four straight 3-pointers and scoring 14 first-half points. Toppin also had 14 points and six rebounds at halftime, while Hawkins recorded nine assists before intermission.
Texas Tech in action against Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament
(Credit: texastech.com)
Baylor, led by Norchad Omier’s 29 points and 15 rebounds, mounted a second-half comeback. The Bears cut the deficit to five on a Jeremy Roach jumper with six minutes remaining and trimmed it to three (72-69) in the final 30 seconds. However, clutch free throws from Kevin Overton and Hawkins secured the win for Texas Tech.
Omier notched his 21st double-double of the season, while V.J. Edgecombe contributed 11 points, seven rebounds, and five assists for the Bears. Baylor finished the game 27-for-60 from the field and 16-of-19 from the free-throw line.
The Red Raiders will now look to secure their first Big 12 tournament title, advancing to the semifinals for the second straight year.
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