Texas Tech Makes Historic Announcement Amid March Madness Run

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Mar 22, 2025 9:13 PM ET

No. 3 seed Texas Tech is moving on.

This is after the Red Raiders defeated No. 11 seed Drake in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Saturday, 77-64. It was Texas Tech who came into the matchup as the favorites, and they lived up to that by taking down the Bulldogs in what turned out to be quite a ballgame at Intrust Bank Arena.

Drake simply had no answer to the duo of Darrion Williams and JT Toppin, who notched 28 and 25 points, respectively. Senior guard Elijah Hawkins also came through with 16 points, three rebounds and seven assists in the win.

It also turned out to be a special day for Hawkins, who has now become the single-season assists leader for the basketball program.

Texas Tech made the historic announcement on social media as they congratulated the two-time All-MEAC guard.

"Texas Tech Basketball's new single-season assist leader. Congrats to @eslimee_, who has surpassed the previous mark of 212," the Red Raiders posted on X.

Texas Tech Basketball's new single-season assist leader.

Congrats to @eslimee_, who has surpassed the previous mark of 212. pic.twitter.com/2otizgFHjT
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) March 22, 2025

What makes Hawkins' feat more impressive is the fact that this is his first season with Texas Tech after spending his first two years with Howard and his junior year with Minnesota last season.

It didn't take long for the 5-foot-11 guard to make his mark in Texas Tech's history books as he now holds the record for the most assists in a single season with 214.

Hawkins will now get the chance to build on this record in the next round as Texas Tech prepares to take on No. 10 seed Arkansas on Wednesday in the Sweet 16. The Red Raiders will need to be at their very best if they hope to defeat John Calipari's Razorbacks for a spot in the Elite Eight.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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