WICHITA, Kan. — The Texas Tech basketball team withstood an extended offensive drought and managed to pull away down the stretch to knock off UNC Wilmington 82-72 in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Thursday in the INTRUST Bank Arena.
The 3-seed Red Raiders (26-8) advance to take on 11-seed Drake on Saturday at 5:10 p.m. to see which team will advance to the Sweet 16.
Kerwin Walton hit eight 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 27 points while Elijah Hawkins just missed out on a triple-double while playing all 40 minutes in Chance McMillian’s absence. He had 14 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. JT Toppin had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double and Darrion Williams totaled 13 points.
The Seahawks closed the first half on a 15-3 run and briefly took the lead before the Red Raiders closed things off on the defensive end in the closing minutes.
Texas Tech basketball vs. UNCW in March Madness live score updates
11:54 p.m.: Final, Texas Tech beats UNCW to advance to the second round, winning 82-72.
11:43 p.m.: Red Raiders have extended the lead to 73-64 with 3:32 left.
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11:36 p.m.: Christian Anderson heading to the line looking to put Texas Tech up eight. Right now it’s 69-64 with 4:07 left pending review of a goaltend.
11:22 p.m.: Timeout on the floor, Texas Tech leads 60-57.
11:12 p.m.: Texas Tech has responded after UNCW took a one-point lead. Kerwin Walton’s up to eight made 3s and has the Red Raiders in front 55-50, 11:50 left.
10:59 p.m.: Elijah Hawkins working his tail off without having a break to this point. Red Raiders up 45-43, 15:48 left.
10:30 p.m.: Halftime, Texas Tech 38, UNCW 34. Seahawks closed on the half on a 15-3 run to get back into the game. Kerwin Walton’s got five 3-pointers to lead all scorers with 15.
10:21 p.m.: Seahawks are on a 7-0 run and have trimmed Texas Tech’s lead to 35-26 with 3:37 left in the half.
10:11 p.m.: Texas Tech has its biggest lead at 31-19 with 7:13 left. Walton hit his fourth 3 and the Red Raiders have assisted on nine of their first 10 makes.
10:02 p.m.: Texas Tech with some really good defensive possessions to take a 21-12 lead with 11:59 left.
9:51 p.m.: Texas Tech leads 13-8 with 15:53 left in the half. Seahawks got three offensive boards on one possession and got a three-point play out of it.
9:45 a.m.: Kerwin Walton, playing in his fourth NCAA Tournament, has hit three 3s in the first two minutes. Texas Tech up 11-3, 17:58 left in the half.
9:32 p.m.: Chance McMillian officially ruled out tonight, meaning freshman Christian Anderson will get the start alongside Elijah Hawkins, Kerwin Walton, Darrion Williams and JT Toppin. UNCW will start Bo Montgomery, Donovan Newby, Sean Moore, Greedy Williams and Harlan Obioha.
9:18 p.m.: Estimated start time for Texas Tech-UNCW is now 9:39 p.m. CST. Drake defeated Missouri to advance to the second round on Saturday.
9:00 p.m: Drake is up 60-55 on Missouri with 1:26 left. Texas Tech-UNCW will not be starting on time.
What channel is Texas Tech vs UNC Wilmington on today in March Madness?
- TV channel: TruTV
- Stream: NCAA March Madness Live app | Sling
Texas Tech will tip off vs. UNC Wilmington on TruTV. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Sling TV, which offers a free trial. Announcers for the game are Tom McCarthy, Deb Antonelli, Steve Smith and AJ Ross.
Watch Texas Tech vs. UNC Wilmington in March Madness on Sling
Texas Tech vs UNCW start time in NCAA bracket
- Date: Thursday, March 20
- Time: 9:10 p.m. CST
Texas Tech and UNC Wilmington will play at 9:10 p.m. CST in the INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas
Texas Tech vs. UNCW prediction, game picks
Texas Tech 83, UNCW 72: The Seahawks have enough size to make things interesting but UNCW hasn’t seen an offense like Texas Tech’s all season. Here’s a full breakdown of the game.
Texas Tech vs. UNCW injury updates
TEXAS TECH: Chance McMillian (upper body strain) and Darrion Williams (lower body) each missed the last game against Arizona. Their status for the game is not yet known.
Texas Tech vs. UNCW stats
TEXAS TECH
- PPG: 80.9
- PPG allowed: 67.5
- FG% 47.0%
- 3PT%: 37.9%
- KenPom ranking: 7th
UNC WILMINGTON
- PPG: 79.3
- PPG allowed: 69.9
- FG% 47.2%
- 3PT%: 33.9%
- KenPom ranking: 106th
Texas Tech basketball schedule 2024-25
Below are the past five games of Texas Tech’s 2024-25 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here.
- March 1: at Kansas, W, 78-73
- March 5: Colorado, W, 91-75
- March 8: at Arizona State, W, 85-57
- March 13: vs. Baylor, W, 76-74
- March 14: vs. Arizona, L, 86-80
UNC Wilmington basketball schedule 2024-25
Below are the past five games of UNC Wilmington’s 2024-25 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here.
- Feb. 27: at Campbell, W, 79-60
- March 1: Delaware, W, 88-58
- March 9: vs. Hampton, W, 79-65
- March 10: vs. College of Charleston, W, 68-67
- March 11: vs. Delaware, W, 76-72
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