Upset Victory for Texas Tech

Despite the snow-ridden roads around Lubbock, Red Raider fans showed up Saturday afternoon to witness No. 12 Texas Tech upset No. 6 Houston 90-86. The energy in the arena was electric, with the crowd cheering on their team as they took on one of the top-ranked teams in the country.

The Cougars were a 3-pointer away from tying the game with 22 seconds, and guard Kingston Flemings airballed a contested 3-point shot. However, it initially appeared as a foul against guard Christian Anderson but was then ruled a turnover. The sequence forced Houston to foul the remainder of the game in an attempt to keep up. Texas Tech guard Donovan Atwell went 3-for-4 on his late free throws to put the game on ice.

Referees were active in the contest, calling 40 fouls. Fifteen were against Texas Tech and 25 were against Houston. Both teams shot 80% or better from the charity stripe, but the referees’ repeated involvement ignited the student-heavy audience. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the game came down to the wire, with the Red Raiders ultimately emerging victorious.

Fleming dropped a career-high 42 points in the loss, while Texas Tech forward JT Toppin added his 13th double-double of the year on 31 points and 12 rebounds. The 6-9 forward went 0-5 from three, but his presence in the paint was felt throughout the game.

Game Highlights

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. The Red Raiders came out strong in the first half, with guard Jaylen Petty hitting several critical three-pointers to give his team the lead. Houston fought back, but Texas Tech’s momentum was too much to overcome.

In the second half, the Cougars made a push to take the lead, but the Red Raiders held strong. Flemings had a career-high 42 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the balanced attack of the Red Raiders. The game came down to the final minutes, with Texas Tech emerging victorious 90-86.

Red Raiders Add to Momentum-Filled Month

Texas Tech is on a five-game win streak since losing to Houston earlier in the month, with two ranked victories and a rise in three-point efficiency. The Red Raiders have two road games against top-10 opponents, including No. 1 Arizona, in February. The team is looking to continue their momentum and make a push for the conference title.

Younger players, such as guard Jaylen Petty, have come to life over the stretch. The true freshman finished Saturday with 18 points, including a string of critical contested three-pointers. He was also joined on the court by Villanova transfer Josiah Mosely for the first time this season. Moseley had dealt with a lower-leg injury heading into the season, but was activated Saturday and finished with an effective six points and six rebounds in 10 minutes.

Texas Tech has used its starting five consistently due to a handful of bench injuries, and Moseley was expected to be a critical rotation player for the Red Raiders. With the win, Texas Tech is second in the Big 12 and looking to make a push for the conference title.

Lack of Shooting Depth Hurts Houston

Flemings and guard Emanuel Sharp accounted for 70% of the Cougars’ 60 shots Saturday afternoon. No other Cougar took more than six shots, and only two other Cougars had more than one make. This lack of shooting depth hurt the Cougars, as they were unable to keep up with the balanced attack of the Red Raiders.

Flemings finished with a career-high 42 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Red Raiders. His prior career high was set against Tennessee, which was Houston’s only other loss. Sharp finished with 20 and was the only other Cougar to reach double-digit scoring.

Houston guard Kingston Flemings (4) collides with Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson (4) during the second half in an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas.

Annie Rice / AP

Red Raiders Get Hot to End Half

Texas Tech had trailed from the 5-2 mark all the way until 5:28 left in the opening half at 39-37. A 3-pointer by guard Jaylen Petty ignited a 13-0 scoring run for the Red Raiders, which included three made three-pointers. Petty accounted for two in the shutout run but added a third to push Texas Tech up 50-39 before a timeout.

The Red Raiders’ 55 first-half points were also the most they have scored against Houston in a half since the Cougars joined the Big 12 in 2023. Excluding Texas Tech’s lone victory over Houston in the Big 12 era, the Red Raiders’ early efforts helped them eclipse their total scoring in the prior games by the 13:00 mark in the second half.

Conclusion

The Red Raiders’ upset victory over the Cougars was a thrilling game that came down to the wire. With the win, Texas Tech is second in the Big 12 and looking to make a push for the conference title. The team’s balanced attack and strong defense were too much for the Cougars to overcome, and they will look to continue their momentum in their next game.

For more information on the game and the teams, you can find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here. You can also find more Texas Tech coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the final score of the game?

A: The final score of the game was 90-86 in favor of Texas Tech.

Q: Who was the leading scorer for Houston?

A: Kingston Flemings was the leading scorer for Houston, with a career-high 42 points.

Q: What is Texas Tech’s current ranking in the Big 12?

A: With the win, Texas Tech is second in the Big 12.

Q: What is the Red Raiders’ next game?

A: Texas Tech goes to UCF next before a home game against No. 19 Kansas.