Basketball is a game of runs, or so the cliché goes. But when No. 24 Texas Tech vs Saint Joseph's tipped off at the Barclays Center, nobody expected the "run" to be a sustained, forty-minute assault on the Red Raiders' defensive reputation. If you just looked at the final score—78-77 in favor of the Hawks—you might think it was a lucky bounce or a fluke ending.
It wasn't. Honestly, it was a clinic in how to dismantle a high-major defense with spacing and ice-cold shooting.
The November 21st matchup in Brooklyn wasn't just another early-season tournament game. It was a clash of identities. On one side, you had Grant McCasland’s Texas Tech squad, a team built on the "No Middle" philosophy and physical, Big 12-style grit. On the other, Billy Lange’s Saint Joseph’s Hawks, a group that plays like they’ve never seen a shot they didn’t like—and more importantly, a shot they couldn't make.
The First Half Blitz No One Predicted
The Hawks didn't just walk into the gym; they exploded. St. Joe's came out firing from deep, hitting 8 of their first 13 attempts from beyond the arc. Erik Reynolds II was the primary culprit. He didn't just score; he demoralized. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, the Hawks held a 45-35 lead.
Texas Tech looked shell-shocked. It was the first time all season they had trailed at the break. Their three-point defense, usually a hallmark of a McCasland team, was non-existent. The Red Raiders went 1-for-11 from deep in that first half. You just can't win like that. Basically, St. Joe’s was playing modern, space-and-pace basketball, while Tech was stuck in the mud, trying to survive on free throws and post-ups.
The lead actually ballooned to 16 points at one point. In Brooklyn! Against a ranked Big 12 team. You could feel the "upset alert" notifications popping off on phones across the country.
JT Toppin and the Red Raider Fight Back
If there’s one thing about Texas Tech, they don't quit. They’re kind of built for the grind. JT Toppin, the transfer from New Mexico, decided he wasn't going to let the Red Raiders go down without a fight. The guy was a monster on the glass.
Toppin finished with 22 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. 18! That's the most boards a Tech player has grabbed since Fardaws Aimaq a couple of years back. He was the reason they stayed in it. Tech eventually clawed all the way back, actually taking their first lead since the opening minutes on a Chance McMillian and-one with about six minutes left.
The final four minutes were absolute chaos. The teams traded buckets like heavyweight boxers.
- Rasheer Fleming, the Hawks' best rebounder, fouled out with four minutes left.
- McMillian hit a massive three to give Tech a 75-74 lead.
- Anthony Finkley answered right back with a trey of his own.
- Toppin tied it at 77-77 with a layup with a minute to go.
The Ending Most People Forget
Everyone talks about the final shot, but the game was actually decided at the free-throw line. Justice Ajogbor, the Hawks' big man, got fouled on a rebound with seconds left. He missed the first. The pressure was suffocating. He sunk the second. 78-77.
Texas Tech had one last chance. Darrion Williams, who is usually money in those spots, got a clean look in the lane. The ball hit the front of the rim, danced around the cylinder, and just... fell out. Game over.
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Why This Game Still Matters for Both Programs
When we talk about Texas Tech vs Saint Joseph's, we're talking about the thin line between a "top 25" team and a "dangerous mid-major." For Texas Tech, it was a wake-up call about their perimeter defense. You can't let a team shoot 54.5% from three and expect your interior dominance to save you. They out-rebounded the Hawks 44-28 and outscored them 44-20 in the paint. On paper, Tech wins that game 99 times out of 100.
But St. Joe’s had the equalizer: the triple.
For the Hawks, this was a signature win. It was their first victory over a ranked opponent in a year. It proved that Erik Reynolds II and Xzayvier Brown (who went a perfect 13-for-13 from the charity stripe) are one of the best backcourts in the country, period.
Actionable Takeaways for the Rest of the Season
If you're following these teams through the 2025-2026 season, here's what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Tech Three-Point Percentage: When the Red Raiders shoot below 25% from deep, they are vulnerable to anyone. Their reliance on the inside game is great, but modern basketball requires a secondary threat.
- The St. Joe’s Free Throw Factor: Xzayvier Brown is a weapon. If a game is close in the final two minutes, you cannot foul him. His 20 points against Tech were mostly built at the line.
- Schedule Strength Nuance: Don't sleep on the Atlantic 10. This game proved that a middle-of-the-pack Big 12 performance will get you beat by a top-tier A-10 team every single time.
The next time these two programs meet, don't look at the jersey names or the conference logos. Look at the shooting splits. In the saga of Texas Tech vs Saint Joseph's, the team that owns the arc owns the night.
Keep an eye on the Red Raiders' upcoming Big 12 slate to see if they've fixed those perimeter rotations. If they haven't, teams like Houston and Baylor will have a field day. Meanwhile, St. Joe's has shown they can hang with the big boys, making them a "bracket buster" favorite for March.