Texas Tech Ends Houston’s Streak In Big 12 Thriller

The United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas, was absolutely buzzing on January 24, 2026, as the No. 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders toppled the No. 6 Houston Cougars 90-86 in a high-octane Big 12 showdown. A packed house witnessed a game that had it all—historic scoring, clutch shooting, and the kind of drama that leaves fans breathless and rivals talking for years to come.

Coming in, both teams had plenty on the line. Houston, riding an 11-game winning streak and boasting a 16-game true road winning streak in conference play, was seen as nearly untouchable. The Cougars, with a 17-1 overall record and a spotless 5-0 mark in the Big 12, had already notched a 69-65 victory over Texas Tech earlier in the month. The Red Raiders, meanwhile, entered with a 15-4 record, 5-1 in conference, and a perfect 10-0 at home, eager to avenge their lone league loss and keep their own momentum rolling. The stakes? About as high as they come in late January college basketball.

The first half set the tone for a barnburner. Both squads came out firing, trading buckets and fouls in a relentless back-and-forth. Houston’s freshman sensation Kingston Flemings was electric from the jump, hitting big threes and slicing through the defense. By halftime, Flemings had already poured in 22 points, keeping Houston within striking distance despite Texas Tech’s offensive fireworks. The Red Raiders, led by JT Toppin’s 17 first-half points and Jaylen Petty’s hot shooting, managed to carve out a 55-49 lead at the break—remarkable against a Houston defense that had allowed just 60.1 points per game all season.

“Both teams are lighting it up,” observed a reporter from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal during the first half, capturing the frenetic pace and offensive efficiency on display. The Red Raiders knocked down 10 three-pointers in the opening period, with Donovan Atwell and Petty each connecting from deep to keep the scoreboard ticking. Houston, meanwhile, kept its composure, with Emmanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan chipping in key buckets and Joseph Tugler battling on the boards.

The second half was a rollercoaster of momentum swings. Houston clawed back to take a 70-67 lead with just over 11 minutes remaining, thanks in large part to Flemings, who seemed unstoppable on his way to a career-high 42 points and six assists. The Cougars’ ability to weather Texas Tech’s runs—despite mounting foul trouble for key big men like Tugler and Chris Cenac Jr.—kept the contest on a knife’s edge. Emmanuel Sharp, Houston’s senior guard and leading scorer, added 20 points and kept Houston afloat with timely shooting.

But Texas Tech refused to fold. JT Toppin, who finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds for his 44th career double-double, anchored the Red Raiders on both ends. Toppin’s relentless rebounding and inside presence gave Tech second-chance opportunities and stabilized the team during tense stretches. “JT is just a warrior for us,” said head coach Grant McCasland after the game. “He sets the tone every night, and tonight he was the difference.”

As the clock ticked under six minutes, the tension in the arena was palpable. That’s when Donovan Atwell seized the moment, drilling back-to-back three-pointers—the first with 5:55 left, the next just 34 seconds later—to put Texas Tech ahead for good. Atwell’s five triples on the night were crucial, and his 18 points matched Petty’s output, giving the Red Raiders a balanced attack. Christian Anderson, meanwhile, quietly orchestrated the offense with 12 points and nine assists, keeping the Cougars’ defense off-balance.

The game featured eight lead changes and eight ties, a testament to just how evenly matched these teams were. Houston led for 18 minutes and 41 seconds; Texas Tech, for 18 minutes and 12 seconds. Every possession felt like it could swing the outcome, and the physicality was evident—flagran fouls were assessed, tempers flared, and both teams battled for every loose ball.

Despite Houston’s late push—Emanuel Sharp hit a clutch three to cut the deficit to 86-82 with under two minutes to play—Texas Tech’s composure at the free throw line and on the glass proved decisive. The Red Raiders made just two threes in the second half after their first-half barrage, but their grit in the paint and ability to draw fouls (and make free throws) helped them hold off the Cougars’ final charge.

For Houston, the loss stung not just because it snapped their impressive winning streaks, but also because it came at the hands of the only Big 12 team to beat them last season. “We just did not make enough plays late on both offense and defense to get this done,” wrote Houston Cougars on SI’s Maanav Gupta, summarizing the Cougars’ frustration. Still, Flemings’ 42-point outburst was one for the record books, and his emergence as a star is a silver lining for head coach Kelvin Sampson and the Houston faithful.

The victory propelled Texas Tech to 16-4 overall and 6-1 in Big 12 play, their fifth straight win and ninth in their last ten games. The Red Raiders also improved to 11-0 at home, making United Supermarkets Arena a true fortress this season. Houston, now 17-2 and 5-1 in the conference, will look to regroup as they head to TCU for their next matchup on January 28. Texas Tech, meanwhile, gets a short break before traveling to UCF on January 31.

Injuries played a role for both teams. Texas Tech was without LaTrell Hoover, Jazz Henderson, and Luke Bamgboye, while Houston missed Kordell Jefferson and Bryce Jackson. Yet both squads dug deep into their rotations, with newcomers like Josiah Moseley making an impact for the Red Raiders in limited minutes.

Fans who couldn’t make it to the arena were able to catch every moment on ESPN, with streaming options available through Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, and ESPN+. The national spotlight was firmly on Lubbock, and the Red Raiders delivered a performance worthy of the attention.

With the win, Texas Tech not only avenged their earlier loss to Houston but also sent a message to the rest of the Big 12: the road to the conference title runs through Lubbock. As the season heats up and the postseason looms, both teams have plenty to play for—and if this game was any indication, fans are in for a wild ride.

Next up, Houston looks to bounce back against TCU, while Texas Tech aims to keep their home streak alive when they visit UCF. One thing’s for sure: after a clash like this, the Big 12 race is wide open, and every game matters more than ever.