TUCSON, Ariz. (Interstat) — In a heavyweight clash that lived up to its billing, JT Toppin scored a career-high 31 points and Texas Tech weathered a late Arizona rally to stun the Wildcats 78-75 in overtime Saturday at a sold-out McKale Center.

The victory, secured before a crowd of 14,688, marked a significant resume boost for the Red Raiders, who improved to 19-6. Arizona, which entered the game with just one loss, fell to 23-2 in a game it was heavily favored to win.

The contest was a tense, physical battle defined by defense and individual brilliance, particularly from Toppin. The 6-foot-9 sophomore from Dallas was relentless, adding three assists and a block while playing 44 minutes. His performance was the cornerstone of a Texas Tech attack that overcame poor overall shooting by dominating the glass and hitting critical shots in extra time.

Texas Tech led 66-64 with under 30 seconds remaining in regulation after Arizona’s Jaden Bradley missed a layup and Motiejus Krivas missed a tip-in. The Red Raiders’ Donovan Atwell secured the defensive rebound and was fouled, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one with 27 seconds left. Arizona called timeout and worked the ball to Ivan Kharchenkov, who was fouled on a drive with 16 seconds on the clock. The German guard calmly sank both free throws to tie the game at 66.

Texas Tech had the final possession of regulation, but Christian Anderson’s contested jumper missed, and Leon Horner’s offensive rebound tip attempt was off target as time expired, sending the game to an extra period.

The overtime belonged to the visitors. Toppin won the opening tip and scored on a putback on the first possession. After a Brayden Burries jumper for Arizona, Toppin answered with a layup. The Red Raiders then forced a turnover, and Anderson found Atwell for a crucial three-pointer from the wing, giving Texas Tech a 73-68 lead with 2:05 left.

Arizona clawed back, with Tobe Awaka converting an offensive rebound into a basket to cut the deficit to 75-73 with 59 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Toppin delivered the dagger, hitting a tough hook shot in the lane over Krivas with 18 seconds remaining for a four-point lead. Arizona’s final attempt, a Kharchenkov three-pointer, was off the mark, and Texas Tech secured the rebound and the victory.

The game was a defensive struggle throughout. Both teams shot under 41% from the field. Texas Tech’s advantage came from beyond the arc, where they hit 11 three-pointers to Arizona’s 4, and on second-chance opportunities, where they held a 15-12 edge. The Wildcats attempted 31 free throws to Texas Tech’s 19 but made only 23.

Anderson supported Toppin with 19 points and eight assists for Texas Tech. Atwell added 11 points, including three three-pointers. Arizona was led by 16 points apiece from Awaka and Burries. Kharchenkov had 13 points and Krivas added 10.

The first half was a mirror image, ending tied at 32, and the second half finished deadlocked at 66, setting the stage for the overtime drama. The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final two minutes of the extra period, where Toppin’s hook shot and the team’s defensive stand sealed a monumental road win for the Red Raiders against one of the nation’s top teams.

Texas Tech next travels to face Arizona State on Tuesday. Arizona will look to rebound at home against BYU on Wednesday.