Houston Finds a Way Late: No. 8 Houston Cougars vs Cincinnati Bearcats Live Updates
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The No. 8 Houston Cougars begin their vaunted Big 12 conference schedule this afternoon, traveling to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats.
It is an 18 game slate for the Cougars this season, who look to defend their back-to-back regular season titles after a historic 19-1 conference mark in 2025. Houston comes in with a 12-1 record after a tight 69-60 win over Middle Tennessee in Fertitta Center this past Monday.
Houston did get tested in their non-conference schedule with a win over No. 19 Arkansas as well as a tough victory over Auburn in road environment. The Cougars will get their fair share of difficult road games, and Cincinnati will be their first Big 12 road challenge.
Coogs vs Bearcats
Houston has won their last six games and also are still maintaining their 14 game road winning streak in the Big 12 going back to last season. The Cougars have won their last 10 season openers.
Senior guard Emanuel Sharp currently leads UH with 17 points per game and makes at least three 3-pointers per game. Freshman guard Kingston Flemings also has been a vital part of the offense and lead the team with 15 points in their last game.
Cincinnati enters their home Big 12 opener with an 8-5 record and winners of their last two out of three. The Bearcats are 8-1 in home games so far this season.
Although Cincinnati leads the all time series 33-17, Houston has won the last 12 meetings. The Cougars haven’t lost to the Bearcats since February 2020. Houston has also won the last three road meetings. Most recently, the Cougars won at home 73-64 last March and received the Big 12 regular season title postgame.
Cincinnati’s head coach Wes Miller is currently 0-9 against Houston. Junior guard Jizzle James is their leading scorer with 14 PPG, while senior forward Baba Miller is second with 13.6 PPG, but also leads the Bearcats with 11.5 rebounds per game.
The Cougars take on the Bearcats in their first Big 12 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: Uzan, Flemings, Sharp, Tugler, Cenac Jr.
Under 16 Timeout: Houston 2, Cincinnati 0
It is an extremely poor start for the offense on both sides. Freshman big man Chris Cenac Jr. had the only points of this period on an early jumper.
Under 12 Timeout: Houston 4, Cincinnati 4
The struggles continue, but quality defense is being played. Only eight points combined through more than nine minutes. Both teams have not made a 3-pointer and were shooting 15%.
Under 8 Timeout: Houston 8, Cincinnati 16
The Wildcats wake up and go on an early 9-0 run to take the lead thanks to a couple of 3-pointers and free throws.
Under 4 Timeout: Houston 21, Cincinnati 21
The Cougars now respond back with a 10-0 run and attack the paint with senior center Kalifa Sakho.
Halftime: Houston 28, Cincinnati 33
Day Day Thomas makes some big 3-pointers and goes on a 10-0 run himself. The Bearcats are in control at halftime. Ramon Walker Jr. got some shots in for Houston late. Both teams shot miserable, but the Bearcats were 45% from beyond the arc.
Under 16 Timeout: Houston 36, Cincinnati 40
Moustapha Thiam dominates early in the paint, but Milos Uzan hits back-to-back threes and Houston cuts the deficit down from 10 to three.
Under 12 Timeout: Houston 44, Cincinnati 45
It continues to be close. Joseph Tugler gets a critical tip-in, while Uzan remains hot. Cincinnati keeps things going with Baba Miller.
Under 8 Timeout: Houston 53, Cincinnati 55
Houston takes the lead, but Cincinnati answers. It has been really tight. Flemings knocks down a big 3-pointer.
Under 4 Timeout: Houston 63, Cincinnati 60
Milos Uzan and Kingston Flemings show up in the clutch. Houston gets the lead when they need it the most. The defense leads to offense.
FINAL: Houston 67, Cincinnati 60
The Cougars got it done late with some big-time shots from their guards. The defense then took over and forced multiple turnovers. Tugler had another key tip-in. Flemings scored 19 while Uzan put up 18. Houston did not shoot great, but got the rebounds and points off turnovers.
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.