Houston Wins an Epic Game: No. 7 Houston Cougars vs No. 14 Texas Tech Red Raiders Live Updates, Box Score
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The No. 7 Houston Cougars have their Big 12 conference home opener tonight, and it has been heavily anticipated as a big-time game against the No. 14 Texas Tech Red Raiders.
This matchup has blossomed into a heavyweight rivalry in Big 12 basketball between two tough Texas programs. Houston is coming off a close 67-60 road win over Cincinnati on Saturday in their first conference game of the season, but the intensity will be turned up a lot more in this one.
Houston will get tested right off the bat in just the second conference game of the season against one of the top teams in the Big 12.
Coogs vs Red Raiders
The two games Houston played against Texas Tech last season were some of the best games in the Big 12 in 2025. The toughness, physicality, and meaning of every single possession was just more. "Toughest team wins" was the slogan that came out of these battles.
Although Houston leads the overall series 32-18 and 18-7 overall in home games, this is expected to be one of the Cougars’ most difficult games in Houston.
Texas Tech was famously just the seventh team to win at Fertitta Center in its history with their incredible 82-81 overtime victory last February. Tech has also won three out of the last four meetings in Houston. In the last matchup, UH went to Lubbock and won 69-61. The Red Raiders were missing Darrion Williams and Chance McMillian at the time, however.
Houston has won their last 10 conference home openers, but will have their hands full in this one. Head Coach Kelvin Sampson gave plenty of praise to the Red Raiders program, who are 11-3 coming in. There is a lot of mutual respect between him and Tech head coach Grant McCasland, who is 1-3 against Houston in his career.
Sophomore forward J.T. Toppin is the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year and was also named the Preseason Player of the Year. Toppin is averaging over 21 points per game along with 10 rebounds, while sophomore guard Christian Anderson is also averaging over 20 points and seven assists. Texas Tech is coming off a 102-80 win over Oklahoma State.
Junior forward Joseph Tugler will have a huge role trying to guard Toppin, as the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. The Cougars will also be relying on senior guard Emmanuel Sharp to bounce back after putting up only two points in the last game as the team’s leading scorer. Both McCasland and Toppin were ejected four minutes into the game in Houston last time around.
Houston faces off against Texas Tech in their first Big 12 home game of the season. Be sure to check back here at tipoff for live updates as the game goes on.
Follow below for live updates as the game progresses.
Live Updates
Starting Lineup: F/C Chris Cenac Jr., F Joseph Tugler, G Kingston Flemings, G Milos Uzan, G Emanuel Sharp
1st Half | 2nd Half | |
|---|---|---|
Houston | 31 | 38 |
Texas Tech | 31 | 34 |
Under 16 Timeout: Texas Tech 8, Houston 6
Texas Tech starts with a three to instantly quiet this loud crowd down. The Cougars get a couple of tough shots in the paint, but the Red Raiders hit some big 3-pointers. Milos Uzn had a nice steal and finish.
Under 12 Timeout: Texas Tech 14, Houston 12
It starts getting chippy with fouls on both sides. Texas Tech extends their lead to two possessions, but Emanuel Sharp answers with tough fadeaway 3-pointer.
Under 8 Timeout: Houston 18, Texas Tech 16
Sharp ties the game for Houston and Flemings made an excellent pass to Cenac Jr. for the dunk, as the Cougars take their first lead of the game.
Under 4 Timeout: Houston 27, Texas Tech 23
Sharp is starting to catch heat from beyond the arc and Tugler absolutely bullies his way to score in the paint with a completed and-one. Houston takes their largest lead of the game. Flemings makes an incredible block and the Cougars went on a 9-4 run.
HALFTIME: Houston 31, Texas Tech 31
Watts missed two point blank layups, while the freshmen Flemings and Cenac Jr. went to work. It seemed like the Cougars were in control, but the Red Raiders went on a 5-0 run to close the half tied.
Under 16 Timeout: Houston 37, Texas Tech 35
Cenac Jr. racked the rim on another great pass from Flemings. The freshman point guard phenom is in his bag right now. Toppin made a really difficult layup and has been the scorer for Tech in this period.
Under 12 Timeout: Texas Tech 44, Houston 41
The Red Raiders went on a 9-0 run and retook the lead for the first time since early in the game. TTU has been able to get some shots in the paint.
Under 8 Timeout: Texas Tech 55, Houston 51
It feels like Tech is slowly starting to take control of this game, and Donovan Atwell has taken it on himself with huge back-to-back threes to silence the crowd. Even Petty continues to chip in from beyond the arc.
Under 4 Timeout: Texas Tech 57, Houston 55
Texas Tech is making careless turnovers, but Houston is just not fully taking advantage of them. The Cougars are fighting to get the tying shot, but are missing some good looks as well. UH has not scored any field goals in the last four minutes.
FINAL: Houston 69, Texas Tech 65
Flemings with absolutely clutch 3-pointer and follows that up with a cold-blooded fade-away jumper. Houston's defense was completely locked down in the final two minutes and the freshman hero puts them on his back. Houston wins an incredible game. Flemings scores 23 points. Houston only shoots 24% from three, but finds a way.
Maanav Gupta is a staff writer for Houston Cougars on SI. He graduated from the University of Houston in the summer of 2025 with his bachelor’s in journalism and a minor in Spanish. Gupta spent three years at the student newspaper, The Daily Cougar, and also covered the 2025 Final Four and National Championship as Houston beat writer for College Basketball Review. He also has his own YouTube channel, Maanav’s Sports Talk, where he has interviewed professional athletes and broadcasters like Jim Nantz, Jose Altuve, J.J. Watt, Rich Eisen, and Alperen Sengun. Gupta was also a contributor to the Houston athletic program as a student. You can find Gupta on X, Instagram and TikTok @MGSportsTalk.