No. 7 Houston Mounts Comeback to Down No. 14 Texas Tech

HOUSTON, TX — Kingston Flemings scored 23 points and No. 7 Houston overcame a late Texas Tech surge to defeat the No. 14 Red Raiders 69-65 on Tuesday night at the Fertitta Center.

 

"We knew who we were facing," Texas Tech Head Coach Grant McCasland said after the game. "They are one of the toughest teams in the country, if not the toughest. They just compete on every possession."

 

The Cougars (14-1, 2-0 Big 12) improved to 8-0 at home and took control in the final minute after the teams traded leads seven times with six ties. Emanuel Sharp added 17 points for Houston, while Joseph Tugler and Chris Cenac each posted double-doubles — Tugler with 11 points and 10 rebounds, Cenac with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

 

Jaylen Petty led Texas Tech (11-4, 1-1 Big 12) with 20 points, hitting 5 of 9 from 3-point range. JT Toppin recorded his fourth consecutive double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds while blocking a career-high-tying five shots. Donovan Atwell contributed 13 points.

 

The Red Raiders led for much of the second half, building a 55-49 advantage after back-to-back 3-pointers by Atwell. Houston responded with a run capped by Flemings' 3-pointer that gave the Cougars a 60-59 lead.

 

"Ultimately, we fouled too much," McCasland said. "They got to the free-throw line significantly more than we did. We also had some guys who have never been in this game before...ultimately, turnovers cost us."

 

Flemings later hit another 3-pointer for a 66-62 edge with 30 seconds remaining. Christian Anderson hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to pull within four, but lost in the end. Texas Tech shot 9 for 28 from 3-point range and 10 for 11 at the free-throw line but committed 14 turnovers that Houston converted into a 13-4 advantage in points. The Cougars held a 28-20 edge in points in the paint and went 17 for 22 at the line despite making only 4 of 17 3-pointers. The teams were tied 31-31 at halftime, with Texas Tech holding a 21-17 rebounding advantage.

 

The Red Raiders fell to 0-2 on the road and to 1-2 against AP Top 10 opponents this season with the loss. 

 

Houston hosts Baylor next, while Texas Tech continues its road trip Saturday at Colorado.