Some games are just special—etched into the memory of fans, players, and coaches forever. The 81st all-time meeting between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Arkansas Razorbacks was one of those.
In what will go down as one of the most dramatic comebacks in NCAA Tournament history, Texas Tech pulled off an improbable 85-83 overtime victory, claiming a 41-40 lead in the historic series between these two programs. It wasn’t easy, though. For the first 30 minutes, it looked like Arkansas was on its way to a blowout win. But basketball games aren’t won in 30 minutes—they’re won in 40 (or sometimes 45), and Tech showed the resilience that has defined its season under head coach Grant McCasland.
Let’s break down how the Red Raiders pulled off this unforgettable win.
A Tale of Two Halves—and One Wild Overtime
For much of the night, it looked like Arkansas was in complete control. The Razorbacks stormed to a commanding 59-43 lead with just under 11 minutes to play, seemingly on their way to an easy victory. But momentum in March Madness is a funny thing.
Slowly but surely, Texas Tech clawed back. With two minutes to play, they had cut the deficit to just three, 69-66. However, just when it seemed like they might complete the comeback, Arkansas responded with a clutch three-pointer, pushing the lead back to six with 1:28 remaining.
That’s when Tech showed its toughness.
Christian Anderson drilled a three to cut the lead to 72-69. Then, after a defensive stop, Darrion Williams buried a game-tying three with just nine seconds left. Arkansas had no answer, and the game went to overtime.
Overtime was a back-and-forth battle, but with the score tied at 83 and just seven seconds to play, Williams delivered once again, hitting a clutch backdown layup to put Tech ahead for good. Arkansas had a chance to tie or win, but the Red Raiders played sound defense, forcing a contested miss at the buzzer to seal the win.
It was the type of victory that defines March Madness—a game that fans will never forget.
Three Key Takeaways from Texas Tech’s Win
1. Texas Tech Dominated the Offensive Glass
One of Arkansas’ biggest weaknesses all season had been rebounding, and Tech took full advantage. The Red Raiders outrebounded Arkansas 51-39 overall, but more importantly, they were relentless on the offensive glass.
Texas Tech pulled down 22 offensive rebounds, leading to 16 second-chance points—a crucial factor in their comeback. Arkansas, on the other hand, had just 11 offensive boards and managed only nine second-chance points.
The biggest surprise? Federiko Federiko. The 6'11" forward played just 13 minutes but made a massive impact, grabbing seven offensive rebounds (and nine total). Meanwhile, Darrion Williams and Kevin Overton each chipped in three offensive boards.
Tech has embraced the mantra "Toughest Team Wins" under McCasland, and their dominance on the glass proved that toughness wins games in March.
2. Red Raiders Took Care of the Ball
Texas Tech didn’t just win this game with clutch shooting and rebounding—they also protected the basketball. Against an Arkansas team that thrives in transition, turnovers could have been costly. Instead, Tech committed just eight turnovers the entire game, allowing Arkansas to score only three points off those mistakes.
In the final five minutes of regulation and overtime, Tech turned it over only once—a single errant pass by Overton early in OT. That level of ball security was critical in allowing Tech to erase the deficit and eventually take the lead.
What’s even more remarkable is that Elijah Hawkins, Tech’s senior point guard, had an uncharacteristically poor game handling the ball, committing five turnovers while dishing out only five assists. Usually, that kind of performance would spell trouble for Tech, but thanks to disciplined play from the rest of the team, they managed to weather the storm.
While Tech only recorded 12 assists on 34 made field goals, their ability to avoid careless mistakes kept them in the game.
3. Texas Tech Shut Down Johnell Davis When It Mattered Most
For much of the game, Arkansas guard Johnell Davis looked unstoppable. The senior put on an offensive clinic, scoring a game-high 30 points, including a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line.
At times, it felt like Davis had transformed into Steph Curry, making difficult shots and keeping Tech at bay. But when crunch time came, so did Tech’s defensive adjustments.
In the final nine minutes of regulation and overtime, Davis went completely scoreless. He missed five shots in that span, including three in the paint—looks he had been converting earlier in the game.
Kevin Overton deserves a ton of credit for this defensive turnaround. With Kerwin Walton benched for the entire second half due to defensive struggles, Overton played a season-high 37 minutes. He not only contributed 12 points and seven rebounds, but his defensive effort against Davis was the key to Tech’s comeback.
When Davis cooled off, Arkansas had no other answers. That was all the opening Texas Tech needed.
Final Thoughts: A Win for the Ages
This was more than just a win. It was a statement.
Down 16 points in the second half? No problem.
Going against a red-hot scorer in Davis? Shut him down late.
Falling behind in the final minute? Hit clutch shots.
This Texas Tech team may not be the flashiest in the tournament, but they are gritty, tough, and battle-tested. They fight until the final buzzer, and that relentless attitude earned them a trip to the Elite Eight.
