Who Won Texas Tech Game: The Heartbreaker in Lubbock

Who Won Texas Tech Game: The Heartbreaker in Lubbock

If you’re looking for the score of the latest Texas Tech game, the answer depends on which Red Raider squad you’re following, but the big news coming out of Lubbock today is a total shocker. The No. 17 Texas Tech Lady Raiders just saw their historic 19-0 undefeated streak come to a grinding halt. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, Kansas State walked into the United Supermarkets Arena and pulled off a gritty 65-59 upset.

It was a weird afternoon in West Texas. Honestly, the Lady Raiders looked like they had this one in the bag during the third quarter. Jada Malone was on an absolute tear, scoring nine straight points to give Tech a 44-42 lead heading into the final frame. But basketball is a game of runs. Kansas State found their rhythm when it mattered most, and the Lady Raiders simply couldn't find the bottom of the net in the closing minutes.

Breaking Down Who Won Texas Tech Game and How it Happened

The story of this game wasn't just the final score; it was the rebounding. It's kinda wild to see a Top 20 team get outrebounded 46 to 20 on their own home floor. Texas Tech coach Krista Gerlich didn't mince words after the game, calling it an issue of "effort and mentality." When you allow 17 offensive rebounds to a team that’s supposedly "below average" on the glass, you're asking for trouble.

Kansas State’s Tess Heal and Gina Garcia were clinical down the stretch. They hit the free throws that iced the game, while Texas Tech missed six of their last seven shots from the field. Bailey Maupin did her best to keep the streak alive, dropping 18 points and tying a career-high with four triples, but the lack of secondary scoring in the fourth quarter proved fatal.

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The Men's Side: A Different Story

While the women’s team is licking their wounds, the Texas Tech men’s basketball team is riding high. Earlier this week, on Wednesday night, they took care of business against Utah, winning 88-74. JT Toppin was basically a cheat code in that game. 31 points. 13 rebounds. 7 assists. If he keeps playing like that, he’s not just a Big 12 Player of the Year candidate—he’s an All-American.

The men are currently 13-4 and preparing for a massive showdown against No. 11 BYU. That game is the next big marker on the calendar for Red Raider fans. After beating Duke earlier this season at Madison Square Garden, there's a growing sense that this team can go as far as they want in March.

The Lingering Sting of the Orange Bowl

You can't talk about who won Texas Tech game without acknowledging the football hangover. On January 1, 2026, the No. 4 Red Raiders faced No. 5 Oregon in the Orange Bowl—a College Football Playoff quarterfinal. It was supposed to be the crowning moment for Joey McGuire’s program.

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Instead, it was a 23-0 shutout.

It was the first time the Red Raiders had been held scoreless in years. The defense, led by Jacob Rodriguez, actually played well enough to win, but the offense was completely neutralized by Oregon's speed. Behren Morton struggled to get anything going, finishing with just 137 yards through the air. It was a sobering end to a 12-2 season, but it set a new floor for what Texas Tech football expects to achieve.

What Happens Next for the Red Raiders?

The loss for the Lady Raiders is their first of the season (19-1, 6-1 Big 12). They don't have time to pout, though. They head to Provo to take on BYU on January 21. If they want to prove that today was just a fluke, they’ll need to fix the rebounding issues and find a way to score when the pressure is at its highest.

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For the men, the focus is entirely on staying near the top of the Big 12 standings. Winning the Utah game was a good start, but the upcoming stretch against ranked opponents will determine if they get a protected seed in the tournament.

To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the defensive rotations in the men's game against BYU. If they can replicate the defensive intensity shown against Utah while keeping Toppin involved in the high post, they should be in a great position to climb the rankings. For the women's team, the focus has to be on the glass. Watch for Coach Gerlich to potentially shake up the starting lineup or increase minutes for players who show more physicality in practice this week.