LUBBOCK, Texas (Interstat) — JT Toppin scored 31 points and Christian Anderson added 26 points and 10 assists as Texas Tech used a dominant first-half performance to cruise past Utah 88-74 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game on Wednesday night at United Spirit Arena.

A crowd of 13,803 watched the Red Raiders improve to 13-4 overall, while the Utes fell to 8-9.

The most important part of the game was Texas Tech’s explosive start, which effectively decided the contest before halftime. The Red Raiders opened the game on a 12-0 run, fueled by stifling defense and efficient offense, and never looked back. They led by as many as 22 points in the first half and entered the break with a commanding 50-38 advantage.

Utah, which never led, struggled to find any rhythm against Texas Tech’s defensive pressure and shot-making. The Red Raiders shot 51.4% from the field in the opening period and connected on 7 of 16 three-point attempts. Meanwhile, the Utes committed eight of their 12 total turnovers in the first half, which Texas Tech converted into 12 points.

Toppin, a 6-foot-9 sophomore from Dallas, was the catalyst. He scored 19 of his game-high 31 points before halftime, showcasing a versatile offensive game with three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and finishes at the rim. He also contributed seven assists, five blocks and was a constant disruptive force defensively. Anderson, a 6-foot-2 guard from Atlanta, orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out 10 assists against only two turnovers while also hitting four three-pointers.

The second half offered little drama as Texas Tech maintained a double-digit lead throughout. Utah managed to cut the deficit to 12 points on several occasions but could never mount a sustained threat. The Red Raiders answered every Utes push, often with a basket from Toppin or Anderson, to keep the margin comfortable.

Utah was led by Keanu Dawes and Don McHenry, who each scored 18 points. Terrence Brown added 17 points and four assists for the Utes, who shot 43.1% from the field and a respectable 48% from three-point range. However, they were outrebounded 41-30 and were outscored 36-24 in the paint, highlighting Texas Tech’s interior dominance.

The Red Raiders’ offensive efficiency was notable, scoring 88 points on just 72 possessions for an offensive rating of 121.6. Utah managed 74 points on 73 possessions for a rating of 101.3. Texas Tech also blocked eight shots, with Toppin accounting for five of them, and outscored Utah 18-14 off turnovers.

For Utah, the loss extends a difficult stretch in conference play. The Utes have now lost four of their last five games. Texas Tech, meanwhile, bounced back from a road loss at Houston last week and continues to build its resume for postseason consideration.

The game’s outcome aligned with pregame expectations, as Texas Tech was a heavy favorite and covered the 17.5-point spread. The total score of 162 points went under the betting over/under line of 158.5.

Utah returns home to face Texas Christian on Saturday. Texas Tech continues its homestand, hosting BYU on Saturday.