The Texas Tech Red Raiders, ranked 19th nationally, narrowly avoided an upset at the United Supermarkets Arena on Tuesday night, ultimately securing a 101-90 victory over Northern Colorado. The win propelled Texas Tech’s record to 8-3 on the season.
A Career Night for LeJuan Watts
The Red Raiders were propelled by a stellar offensive performance from LeJuan Watts, who delivered a career-high 36 points. Watts was remarkably efficient, making his first 12 shots from the floor, a feat that tied a Big 12 Conference record, before finally missing a three-pointer in the closing minutes. His exceptional shooting contributed significantly to the team’s offensive output.
Supporting Scorers and Key Contributions
Beyond Watts’ dominant scoring, other Red Raiders also made crucial contributions. J.T. Toppin added 23 points to the scoreboard, while Christian Anderson and Jaylen Petty each chipped in 14 points. This balanced scoring attack proved vital in maintaining their lead and fending off the Northern Colorado challenge.
Northern Colorado’s Strong Offensive Showing
Despite the loss, Northern Colorado put up a formidable offensive fight. The Bears shot an impressive 56% from the field for the entire game, a testament to their offensive strategy and execution. Brock Wisney led the charge for Northern Colorado with a game-high 29 points, supported by Zach Bloch’s 17 points and Vincent Delano’s 16 points. The Bears’ ability to score kept them in contention throughout the contest.
Game Dynamics and Upset Alert
The game was a high-scoring affair from the outset, with both teams demonstrating strong offensive capabilities. At halftime, Texas Tech held a narrow 56-51 lead, with both teams shooting at or above 60% from the field. The defensive intensity seemed to falter at times, leading to an open-court style of play.
As the second half progressed, Northern Colorado mounted a significant comeback, even tying the game at 70-all with just over 13 minutes remaining. This moment officially placed the game on “upset alert,” as the unranked Bears threatened to defeat the heavily favored Red Raiders.
Texas Tech’s Late Push
In the final minutes, Texas Tech managed to regain its composure and pull away. With just under four minutes left, the Red Raiders held a slim 91-87 lead, with LeJuan Watts having already amassed 36 points on an exceptional 12-of-12 shooting. Their late offensive surge, coupled with crucial defensive stops, was enough to secure the 101-90 victory and avoid an embarrassing home loss.
Pre-Game Information and Broadcast Details
For those looking to follow the Texas Tech basketball team, the game against Northern Colorado was scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, December 16th, at the United Supermarkets Arena.
- TV Channel: The game was not broadcast on traditional television.
- Livestream: Fans could access a livestream of the game via ESPN+ with a required subscription.
Upcoming Schedule for Texas Tech Basketball
The Red Raiders’ schedule continues with challenging matchups as they navigate the 2025-26 college basketball season:
- December 16: vs. Northern Colorado (7 p.m.)
- December 20: vs. Duke (7 p.m. in New York City)
- December 28: vs. Winthrop (1 p.m.)
Player Availability Notes
Prior to the game, there was a question regarding the availability of Texas Tech center Luke Bamgboye, who had missed the previous game against Arkansas due to concussion protocol. However, Bamgboye was observed participating in pre-game warmups, suggesting a potential return to the lineup. The starting five for Texas Tech included J.T. Toppin, Christian Anderson, Donovan Atwell, Tyeree Bryan, and LeJuan Watts.
