Arizona State Stuns No. 13 Texas Tech in 72-67 Upset
TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State pulled off a significant upset Tuesday night, defeating No. 13 Texas Tech 72-67 at Desert Financial Arena. The victory marks a turning point for the Sun Devils (14-12, 5-8 Big 12) and a potential lifeline for head coach Bobby Hurley, who has faced challenges in achieving consistent success during his 11 years leading the program.
The Red Raiders (19-7, 9-4), fresh off a 78-75 overtime win at then-No. 1 Arizona, saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. The game was significantly impacted by an injury to Texas Tech star forward JT Toppin, who left the contest with 6:03 remaining in the second half after appearing to injure his right leg. Toppin, averaging 21.9 points per game, finished with 20 points and eight rebounds before being forced to the sidelines.
Maurice Odum led Arizona State with a game-high 23 points, while Massamba Diop contributed 14 points. The Sun Devils built a 57-47 lead midway through the second half, utilizing a full-court press to disrupt the Red Raiders’ offense and force crucial turnovers. Texas Tech managed to close the gap to 59-56, but Arizona State responded with an eight-point run to regain control.
In the final seconds, Texas Tech attempted a comeback, narrowing the deficit to 70-67. However, a turnover by Christian Anderson sealed their fate. Anderson scored 18 points but struggled with ball control, committing seven turnovers throughout the game.
The first half saw a tight contest, with Arizona State taking a 37-36 lead into halftime thanks to a 3-pointer from Diop in the closing seconds. Odum paced the Sun Devils with 10 points before the break.
This victory represents Arizona State’s first win against a nationally ranked opponent since January 21, 2025, when they defeated No. 23 West Virginia 65-57. The win comes at a critical juncture for Hurley, who has faced scrutiny during his tenure.
Texas Tech will return home to host Kansas State on Saturday.
