Houston defeats Texas Tech 69-65

Houston Edges Texas Tech in Thrilling Conference Showdown

The Fertitta Center was electric on Wednesday night as the Houston Cougars hosted their conference rivals, the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Cougars came out on top in a closely contested battle, ultimately emerging victorious with a score of 69-65.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage until the final minutes. Houston's Kingston Flemings led the charge, pouring in 23 points, including 2 three-pointers, while Chris Cenac Jr. chipped in with 11 rebounds and 11 points.

For Texas Tech, Jaylen Petty scored 20 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Cougars' strong team effort. The Red Raiders struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 5 of 9 three-point attempts, while Houston's four-pointers were a major factor in their win.

The largest lead of the game was held by Houston at 7 points, with Texas Tech closing the gap to as little as 2 points in the final minutes. In the end, it was Flemings who sealed the deal for Houston, scoring crucial baskets down the stretch to secure the Cougars' 4-point victory.

Advanced statistics paint a picture of a game that was more than just a shoot-out. Houston's effective field goal percentage (eFG%) came in at 42.6%, while Texas Tech struggled with an eFG% of 49.1%. The Cougars also out-rebounded their opponents by 9, grabbing 36 rebounds compared to the Red Raiders' 35.

For Texas Tech, a tough road loss is a significant setback in conference play. Despite struggling on the glass and from beyond the arc, the team showed heart and resilience in the face of adversity.

The win moves Houston up in the conference standings, while Texas Tech falls back in the loss column. The Red Raiders will look to bounce back quickly, while the Cougars aim to build momentum as they head into their next matchup.