Houston Locks Down Late to Beat BYU 77-66 in Road Test
In a game that had all the makings of a late-season dogfight, Houston went into Provo and came out with a statement win. The Cougars leaned on their defense and timely offense to pull away from BYU in the second half, walking out of the Marriott Center with a 77-66 victory.
This one was a grind. For much of the night, it was a classic back-and-forth battle-Houston flexing its muscle on the boards and turning BYU’s mistakes into points, while BYU kept itself in it by capitalizing at the free-throw line. But when it mattered most, Houston turned up the intensity and slammed the door shut.
First Half: Trading Blows
Houston came out swinging, jumping to a 12-6 lead in the opening five minutes and setting the tone early. BYU looked a bit rattled, but to their credit, they regrouped quickly and answered with a run of their own. Still, Houston wasn’t done-they strung together a 10-0 burst that pushed the lead to 28-18 and had the home crowd a little uneasy.
But the Cougars from Provo weren’t going away that easily. They clawed back late in the half, fueled by some clutch three-point shooting and Houston’s foul trouble. BYU closed the gap to six heading into the break, trailing 37-31.
Second Half: Flemings Steps Up, Defense Clamps Down
Coming out of halftime, Houston didn’t skip a beat. They struck first and kept their foot on the gas, especially on the defensive end.
While they continued to rack up fouls-22 personal fouls in total-BYU couldn’t fully capitalize. Houston’s defense tightened, and BYU’s rhythm started to fade as the second half wore on.
Freshman guard Kingston Flemings was a difference-maker. The young guard looked anything but green, pouring in 19 points to go along with 5 assists.
He also battled on the glass, matching fellow freshman Chris Cenac Jr. with 5 rebounds. Flemings’ poise and energy were crucial, especially when BYU made its final push.
And push they did. BYU freshman forward AJ Dybantsa was sensational, dropping 28 points and doing everything he could to keep his squad in it.
But Houston’s defense was relentless down the stretch. Every BYU run was met with a response-whether it was a key stop, a timely bucket, or simply controlling the tempo.
In the final minutes, Houston’s composure showed. They slowed the game down, controlled possession, and squeezed the life out of BYU’s comeback hopes. When the final horn sounded, it was Houston on top, 77-66.
What’s Next?
With the win, Houston improves to 21-2 and adds another quality victory to an already impressive résumé. They remain firmly in the mix atop the Big 12 standings, holding onto the No. 2 spot as March creeps closer.
Next up? A matchup with Utah, BYU’s in-state rival. It’s a key one-not just for bragging rights, but for positioning in a loaded Big 12 race that includes heavy hitters like Iowa State and Kansas breathing down Houston’s neck.
If Houston keeps defending like this and getting key contributions from its young talent, they’re going to be a tough out for anyone. The Coogs are rolling-and they’re not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon.