Texas Tech Triumphs Over Cincinnati: A Thrilling 81-71 Showdown Recap (Jan 21, 2025)

CINCINNATI — — JT Toppin recorded 14 of his 20 points during the second half, freshman Christian Anderson contributed 18 points, including matching his season-high with four 3-pointers, and Texas Tech triumphed over Cincinnati 81-71 on Tuesday evening.

Chance McMillian hit three 3-pointers and ended with 17 points for Texas Tech (14-4, 5-2 Big 12) while Kevin Overton added 14 points.

Jizzle James topped Cincinnati (12-6, 2-5) with 17 points — marking his highest in a conference matchup this season — and Dillon Mitchell netted 12. Simas Lukosius contributed 10 points, shooting 1 of 7 from the field and 7 of 8 from the charity stripe.

James, Mitchell, and Day Day Thomas each scored four points during a 14-5 surge that allowed the Bearcats to seize a seven-point advantage eight minutes into the contest. Texas Tech, struggling initially with only two successful shots out of eleven attempts, converted 13 of their next 18 shots, with Anderson scoring 13 points during that stretch to lead 42-38 at halftime and maintained the lead for the remainder.

James finished a layup and a dunk around two sets of free throws by Lukosius as Cincinnati went on an 8-2 run to trim the deficit to five with 6:57 remaining in the game, but McMillian countered with a 3-pointer, leaving the Bearcats trailing thereafter.

Toppin executed a three-point play to establish Texas Tech’s largest lead of the game at 75-63 with 3:42 left.

The Bearcats shot 52% (27 of 52) from the floor and restricted Texas Tech — who entered the game shooting 49.6% — to 45% accuracy, yet the Red Raiders nailed 12 3-pointers. Cincinnati managed to hit 3 of 14 attempts from long range.

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