Even though Trump received more votes than those other GOP candidates.
Of course. Other GOP candidates won, while Trump lost. Yes, I'd say these GOP candidates indeed "did better" than Trump.
The fact that Trump may have received more votes means nothing. The Dem/Trump conspiracy to make the election a referendum on Trump drew millions to the polls who had no interest in voting in the down ballot races. Of these single issue voters, far more wanted Trump gone than wanted him to stay.