Wake Forest vs. Texas Tech
NASSAU, The Bahamas (Interstat) — In a back-and-forth thriller decided in the final seconds, Texas Tech edged Wake Forest 84-83 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday at Kendal Isaacs National Gymnasium.
The contest, played before a crowd of 2,437, was a tale of two stars for the Red Raiders. JT Toppin, a 6-foot-9 forward from Dallas, dominated inside with 21 points, while guard Christian Anderson of Atlanta orchestrated the offense with 16 points and eight assists. Their combined effort was just enough to overcome a spectacular 26-point performance from Wake Forest’s Juke Harris.
The game was tightly contested throughout, with neither team able to build a substantial lead. Texas Tech took a narrow 35-34 advantage into halftime. The second half was an offensive shootout, with both teams pouring in 49 points, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
Wake Forest had a chance to win on its final possession, but a defensive stand by Texas Tech prevented a clean look at the basket as time expired.
The Demon Deacons were efficient offensively, scoring 83 points on 75 possessions for an offensive rating of 110.0. They shot 47% from the floor, including 8 of 18 from three-point range. However, their efforts were hampered by 13 missed free throws, finishing 13 of 22 from the line.
Texas Tech countered by leveraging its opportunities, particularly from beyond the arc and at the charity stripe. The Red Raiders hit 12 three-pointers on 35 attempts and made 16 of their 21 free throw attempts. They also won the battle on the glass, securing 13 offensive rebounds to Wake Forest’s nine.
Myles Colvin provided significant support for Wake Forest with 19 points. For Texas Tech, Jaylen Petty added 11 points and Tyeree Bryan chipped in 13.
Defensively, Wake Forest’s rim protection was a factor, as they recorded six blocks, led by Cooper Schwieger’s four. Texas Tech was more active in the passing lanes, coming up with seven steals.
With the loss, Wake Forest falls to 3-2 on the season. The Demon Deacons continue a busy stretch with a game against Memphis on Friday. Texas Tech improves to 4-1 and will also play Friday, facing a tough road test at Purdue.