Texas Tech Edges Arkansas in Thrilling OT Sweet 16 Showdown

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — In a dramatic turnaround, the Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 85-83 in overtime during the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night. Darrion Williams, who struggled for most of the game, made the decisive shot with just 7.3 seconds left in overtime to secure the victory for Texas Tech.

Despite being down by 16 points in the second half, the third-seeded Red Raiders mounted a furious comeback, highlighted by a late run that saw them outscore the Razorbacks 16-3 to force the extra period. Coach Grant McCasland praised Williams for his resilience, stating, “The heart of the team is Darrion Williams. I put faith in him because I do believe that he’ll find a way in one-game scenarios to do whatever it takes to win.”

The game began with Arkansas, seeded 10th, showing dominant form, controlling the pace and building a significant lead. The Razorbacks led by as many as 16 points in the second half, making it seem like they would cruise to the next round. However, a shift began as Texas Tech found their rhythm, particularly behind guard Christian Anderson, who contributed crucial three-pointers in the closing minutes of regulation.

“In the huddle, Coach said we’re going to find a way to win this no matter how much we’re down,” Anderson noted. “As a team, we had that look, we’re not losing this game no matter what.”

Williams, who finished the night with 20 points and nine rebounds, managed to tie the game in regulation with a three-pointer with just under 10 seconds left. His earlier shooting struggles—missing 13 of his first 15 attempts—proved surmountable as he regained composure when it mattered most.

Arkansas’ Johnell Davis attempted to maintain momentum for his team, scoring a game-high 30 points. However, the Razorbacks couldn’t hold off the Red Raiders’ late surge, which ultimately led to their elimination from the tournament. Arkansas coach John Calipari expressed disappointment but was proud of his team’s achievements throughout the season, stating, “There’s nothing my team could do to disappoint me because of what they’ve done this year.”

Texas Tech, now 28-8 on the season, advances to face top-seeded Florida in the Elite Eight on Saturday, aiming for another shot at the Final Four for the first time since 2019.

This match will be a significant test, as Texas Tech hopes to continue their momentum after completing the second-largest comeback in Sweet 16 history. After the game, Williams joined his teammates in celebrating the hard-fought victory as fans erupted in cheers at the Chase Center.

The stakes are high for the Red Raiders, who now look to capitalize on the thrill of their comeback as they prepare for their next challenge in the tournament.