The Fertitta Center in Houston was buzzing with anticipation on Tuesday night, January 6, 2026, as the No. 7 Houston Cougars hosted the 14th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders in a marquee early-season Big 12 Conference clash. With both teams coming off impressive wins in their conference openers and a recent history of close, physical battles, the stage was set for another classic.
Houston entered the contest with an imposing 13-1 record and riding a wave of momentum, having just erased a double-digit deficit to topple Cincinnati 67-60 in their previous outing. Kingston Flemings had been the hero in that game, pouring in 19 points, dishing out six assists, and swiping five steals, while Milos Uzan added 18 points. The Cougars’ defense, though not quite the juggernaut of past seasons, was still among the nation’s elite, ranking eighth in defensive efficiency and boasting a formidable lineup including Emanuel Sharp, JoJo Tugler, Chris Cenac Jr., Kingston Flemings, and Milos Uzan.
Texas Tech, meanwhile, was not to be overlooked. The Red Raiders had just steamrolled Oklahoma State 102-80, their fourth straight victory, thanks in large part to the dynamic duo of JT Toppin and Christian Anderson. Toppin, an All-American big man, was averaging a robust 21.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, while Anderson, widely considered one of the country’s best point guards, was putting up 20.5 points and 7.5 assists per contest. Their offense, ranked 13th in KenPom’s offensive efficiency, had become a well-oiled machine, with shooters like Donovan Atwell (over 40% from deep) and the emerging freshman Jaylen Petty providing plenty of firepower.
Tip-off arrived at 9:00 p.m. ET, broadcast nationally on Fox Sports 1 and streaming on Fubo. Both teams were missing key depth: Texas Tech was without Josiah Moseley, Luke Bamgboye, Marial Akuentok, and LaTrell Hoover, while Houston’s Kordel Jefferson and Bryce Jackson were sidelined. Jazz Henderson was a game-time decision for the Red Raiders.
The action started at a measured pace, with both squads feeling each other out and trading baskets. Texas Tech jumped out to an early lead, with Petty igniting the offense. By the first media timeout, the Red Raiders led 8-6, but three early turnovers hinted at the defensive pressure Houston would bring. The Cougars, true to their identity, ratcheted up the intensity, forcing hurried shots and capitalizing with transition opportunities. A leak-out slam off a Red Raiders miscue gave Houston its first lead midway through the opening half.
Still, Texas Tech held firm. Despite Toppin struggling with a couple of turnovers, the Red Raiders kept their noses in front, leading 14-12 with just over 11 minutes left in the half. Houston responded with a 7-0 run, but Jaylen Petty’s hot hand—he hit four of his six first-half three-point attempts—kept Texas Tech within striking distance. The teams traded blows to close the half, and after Milos Uzan’s last-second drive failed to drop, the scoreboard read 31-31 at halftime.
The second half picked up right where the first left off. Houston opened with three straight scoring possessions, forcing Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland to call a quick timeout as his team fell behind 37-33. But the Red Raiders showed resilience, embarking on a 9-0 run to grab a 44-41 advantage with 12 minutes remaining. Donovan Atwell’s timely three-point shooting and Petty’s continued marksmanship pushed the Red Raiders to a 55-51 lead with under eight minutes left.
As the clock ticked down, the tension in the Fertitta Center was palpable. Texas Tech clung to a 57-55 edge with 3:38 left, but a couple of costly turnovers opened the door for Houston. The Cougars, led by the unflappable Kingston Flemings, seized the moment. Flemings scored six of Houston’s final points, including a dagger three-pointer with just 30 seconds remaining—a shot that would ultimately swing the game. Texas Tech, which had led 59-57 in the waning minutes, suddenly found itself scrambling.
When the final horn sounded, Houston had held off Texas Tech for a gritty 69-65 victory. Flemings finished with a game-high 23 points, cementing his status as the night’s standout performer. Jaylen Petty led Texas Tech with 20 points, showcasing his development as a reliable scoring threat. Donovan Atwell’s clutch shooting and JT Toppin’s presence on the glass kept the Red Raiders in it, but they couldn’t overcome Houston’s late surge.
After the game, McCasland reflected on the missed opportunities: “We had our chances down the stretch, but you can’t give a team like Houston extra possessions. They made us pay.” The loss dropped Texas Tech to 11-4 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12, while Houston improved to 14-1, further solidifying their place among the conference’s elite.
The contest lived up to its billing as a physical, possession-by-possession battle. Houston’s defense, while not as suffocating as in years past, still forced Texas Tech into tough, late-clock shots and capitalized on live-ball turnovers. The Red Raiders, for their part, showed that their offense—anchored by Toppin and Anderson—can compete with anyone, but the absence of key rotation players and some late-game nerves proved costly.
For Houston, the victory was another statement in a season that began with sky-high expectations but has seen the Cougars grind out more close wins than blowouts. As one analyst noted before the game, “Houston is still a bit of a mystery. They’re not dominating like last year, but they just keep finding ways to win.” The contributions from Flemings, Uzan, and the supporting cast have been crucial, especially as the team adapts to new faces and a slightly different defensive identity.
Texas Tech will look to regroup quickly, with a tough road trip to Colorado looming on January 10, followed by home games against Utah and BYU. The Red Raiders’ core remains formidable, and with the return of injured players on the horizon, there’s plenty of optimism in Lubbock. For Houston, the win extends their streak and keeps them firmly in the national conversation as a team to watch come March.
Tuesday night’s showdown delivered everything fans could want: star performances, dramatic swings, and a tense finish. If this is a preview of what’s to come in Big 12 play, college basketball fans are in for a treat this season.
