The University of Arizona men’s basketball team (23-2, 10-2 in Big 12) lost to Texas Tech University (19-6, 9-3 in Big 12) in a major upset on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 4:30 p.m in McKale Center at ALKEME Arena.
This was a huge day on campus, as ESPN’s “College GameDay” returned to Tucson for the fifth time. Fans arrived at 8 a.m. to watch the show before tip off for the women’s game started at noon.
This was also the first men’s basketball game with the new name change. It is now the McKale Center at ALKEME Arena after Arizona Athletics announced their 15-year naming rights partnership with ALKEME Insurance. This change was announced the day before on Friday, Feb. 13.
Key players
Brayden Burries led the Wildcats with 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Following Burries was Ivan Kharchenkov who was essential throughout the game. Kharchenkov recorded 13 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Motiejus Krivas and Tobe Awaka were beasts on defense, with Krivas collecting 11 rebounds and Awaka with 12.
Texas Tech junior forward JT Toppin was the star player. Toppin recorded 31 points, 13 rebounds and three assists shooting 13-for-22 field goals. After Toppin, Christian Anderson followed with 19 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
First half
Texas Tech managed to acquire possession at the jump ball, but was unable to finish the shot as it was stolen by Krivas. After trading possession, Jaden Bradley made the jumper and got the first points on the board for the Wildcats.
Bradley was sent to the line after a foul on Luke Bamgboye where he shot 2-for-2. Shortly after these free throws, Bradley made the jump shot extending the Wildcats’ lead by one point.
Anderson put in a 3-pointer to tie up the game 10-10. This did not hinder Arizona as Kharchenkov put a turnaround jumper in the paint to give the Wildcats the edge 12-10. Awaka grabbed a rebound and added second chance points after a failed attempt at a hookshot from Krivas.
Kharchenkov stayed hot following Anderson’s 3-pointer for Texas Tech with an Arizona 3-pointer bringing their lead up 17-13.
Awaka had a clear shot and put a 3-pointer straight in for the Wildcats leading to a Texas Tech timeout. Peat was called for his first foul of the game sending LeJuan Watts to the line where he only managed to hit one of the two shots.
With just 5:30 remaining in the first half, Burries widened Arizona’s gap to Texas Tech by 7 points after a jumper on the fast break.
Texas Tech managed to shorten the gap to just one point in the last 2 minutes of the half after Anderson made a 3-pointer bringing the score 29-28.
Toppin put in a jumper in the paint which allowed Texas Tech to take the lead. This didn’t discourage the Wildcats as Bradley made a clean shot in the paint to get the Wildcats the lead back.
In the remaining seconds in the half, Peat shot 1-of-2 that tied up the game 32-32. Awaka was immediately called for a foul, giving Texas Tech possession. Kharchenkov managed to get the defensive rebound and with just two seconds remaining attempted a half-court shot that flew around the rim but unfortunately fell out.
Both teams entered halftime tied 32-32.
Second half
Anderson opened the second half with a 3-pointer for Texas Tech. With an assist from Bradley, Kharchenkov was able to dunk the ball, shortening the Wildcat deficit to only 2 points.
Krivas saw the opportunity for the second chance points with a hookshot and tied the game 39-39. Donovan Atwell brought the Red Raiders up 42-39 with a 3-pointer. Anthony Dell’Orso followed Atwell’s 3-pointer with three for the Wildcats.
After not being able to score for 2 minutes, Watts was sent to the line and put both in shots giving Texas Tech in the lead. Shortly after, Kharchenkov put in two free throws to tie the game back up.
It was neck and neck as teams went point for point throughout the entire first part of the second half. Sidi Gueye put in the layup that was immediately followed with a layup from Toppin tying up the game again 46-46.
Burries took to the free throw line making both shots to bring Arizona ahead by one point 50-49. Awaka got the rebound as Watts jumper circled the rim eventually falling out. Krivas and Burries gave Arizona more breathing room as they made two free throws and a 3-pointer.
With just 5 minutes remaining, Awaka was called for a foul sending Toppin to the line where he made 1-of-2. Krivas responded with a hookshot assisted by Kharchenkov to bring the score 61-56.
Burries attempted the 3-pointer but missed, and was rebounded by Awaka who gave it to Krivas for the second chance layup.
Atwell was sent to the line shooting 2-for-2 which brought the score 64-63. Krivas missed the layup allowing Anderson to get the rebound and Atwell to turn it into a 3-pointer with just 25 seconds remaining, pulling Texas Tech into the lead 66-64.
Kharchenkov shot two free throws to tie up the game with just 16 seconds remaining, sending the game into overtime.
Overtime
Toppin began overtime with a layup followed by a jumper from Burries. Burries only managed to get one out of two shots keeping the Wildcats a point behind Texas Tech. Toppin extended their lead 72-69 with a jumper in the paint.
Atwell made a 3-pointer with just two minutes remaining giving the Red Raiders a 4-point lead. With 90 seconds left, Awaka went to the line where he shot 2-for-2 giving Texas Tech only a 2-point advantage.
The Wildcats fought until the very end. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to defeat Texas Tech. Texas Tech took the overtime victory 78-75.
Looking forward
Arizona are looking to snap their losing streak as they face BYU for the second time this season, but the first time at home. They match up on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. MST in McKale Center.
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