NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a game defined by a stunning individual performance and a frantic final minute, Christian Anderson propelled Texas Tech to a dramatic 82-81 victory over Duke on Saturday night at the Wellness, Recreation & Athletic Center.

The Red Raiders, overcoming a double-digit first-half deficit and a hostile environment of 19,812, secured the win at the free-throw line in the closing seconds, snapping the Blue Devils’ 11-game winning streak to open the season.

Anderson, a 6-foot-2 guard from Atlanta, was spectacular, scoring a game-high 27 points and dishing out five assists in 40 minutes. His clutch gene was on full display down the stretch, as he scored 15 of Texas Tech’s final 19 points. The performance continued a torrid stretch for Anderson, who has now scored at least 26 points in four of his last five games.

The contest was a tale of two halves. Duke, utilizing its size and a balanced attack, controlled the opening period. The Blue Devils shot efficiently and built a lead that grew to as many as 12 points. They took a 46-36 advantage into halftime, powered by 13 points from Cayden Boozer and nine from Dame Sarr off the bench.

Texas Tech’s response after the break was immediate and forceful. The Red Raiders tightened their defense, disrupting Duke’s rhythm, and began chipping away at the lead with a more aggressive offensive approach. LeJuan Watts, who finished with 20 points, was instrumental in the early second-half surge, attacking the rim relentlessly.

The game evolved into a tense, back-and-forth affair in the final ten minutes. Duke’s Cameron Boozer, a formidable 6-foot-9 forward from Miami, answered nearly every Texas Tech push. He led the Blue Devils with 23 points, seven assists and a block, showcasing an all-around game that kept his team in front for much of the second half.

However, Anderson took over when it mattered most. With Texas Tech trailing 74-70 with under six minutes to play, he ignited a critical 7-0 run. He buried a deep 3-pointer, then, after forcing a turnover, hit another three to give the Red Raiders a 77-74 lead—their first advantage since the game’s opening minutes.

Duke refused to wilt. Cayden Boozer hit a crucial 3-pointer with 1:01 remaining to tie the game at 80-80. On the ensuing possession, Anderson drove hard to the basket, drawing a foul and converting the layup. He completed the three-point play at the line, putting Texas Tech up 82-80 with 1:14 left.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final 18 seconds. With Texas Tech clinging to an 82-81 lead, Cameron Boozer was fouled and sent to the line for two shots with a chance to put Duke ahead. He missed the first free throw but calmly sank the second, keeping the deficit at one.

Duke immediately fouled Anderson on the inbounds pass, sending him to the line for a one-and-one with 3.3 seconds on the clock. Anderson made the first free throw to extend the lead to 82-81 but missed the second intentionally, hoping to drain the remaining time. Duke secured the rebound and called a timeout with 1.1 seconds left to set up a final play.

The Blue Devils inbounded the ball to Cameron Boozer near the top of the key, but his contested, step-back 3-point attempt at the buzzer missed off the rim, sealing the Texas Tech victory.

Beyond Anderson and Watts, JT Toppin provided crucial interior production for the Red Raiders with 19 points and relentless work on the glass. For Duke, Cayden Boozer finished with 13 points, while Maliq Brown added seven points, several key steals and a block.

The loss was Duke’s first of the season, dropping its record to 11-1. Texas Tech, which entered the game as a significant underdog according to pregame analytics, improved to 9-3 and secured a resume-building victory away from home.

Texas Tech returns to action on Dec. 28 against Winthrop. Duke will look to rebound when it opens Atlantic Coast Conference play against Georgia Tech on Dec. 31.