Texas Tech Edges Houston in Thrilling Showdown
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · United Supermarkets Arena
Texas Tech Red Raiders 90, Houston Cougars 86, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Houston Cougars vs Texas Tech Red Raiders?
Texas Tech Red Raiders beat Houston Cougars 90-86 at United Supermarkets Arena on January 24, 2026.
Who was favored in Houston Cougars vs Texas Tech Red Raiders?
Houston Cougars were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -115 (about 53% implied). The underdog won.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders triumphed over the Houston Cougars with a final score of 90-86 in a thrilling matchup at the United Supermarkets Arena. This victory marks an important moment for Texas Tech, as it not only avenges their earlier loss to Houston this season but also showcases their strong home performance.
Entering this game, Texas Tech had a home record of 16-4, with a recent form of 8-2 over their last ten games, currently riding a four-game winning streak. They averaged 86.0 points scored and allowed 75.9 points in that span. Their last five games saw them scoring an average of 80.4 points while allowing 71.6 points, demonstrating a solid offensive output alongside a manageable defensive effort.
On the other side, Houston came into the game with a record of 17-2 and an impressive ten-game winning streak. The Cougars averaged 81.7 points scored and allowed just 60.8 points over their last ten games, indicating a strong defensive presence. Their last five games reflected a scoring average of 78.6 points and an average of 60.2 points allowed, showcasing their ability to control the game defensively.
In terms of home and away performance, Texas Tech had a perfect home record of 5-0 in their last five home games, while Houston maintained a strong away record of 3-0 in their recent outings. This matchup was particularly significant as it pitted Texas Tech's home advantage against Houston's formidable away form.
Historically, the two teams have met three times recently, with Texas Tech holding a 1-2 record against Houston. Their most recent meeting prior to this game was on January 7, 2026, where Texas Tech lost 65-69 at Houston. The previous encounters also included a loss at home on February 25, 2025, with a score of 61-69, while Texas Tech managed to secure a win on February 1, 2025, with a close score of 82-81.
Injury reports indicated that both teams were at full strength, which contributed to the competitive nature of the game. The market had Houston favored by 1.5 points according to DraftKings, with the total set at 141.5 points, reflecting expectations for a closely contested game.
The conditions in the United Supermarkets Arena were favorable for basketball, with a lively atmosphere as fans rallied behind the Red Raiders. The game was marked by intense back-and-forth action, showcasing the skill and determination of both teams.
As the game progressed, key moments emerged in the second half that highlighted the competitive spirit of both squads. Notable scoring plays included JT Toppin making a critical 7-foot jumper for Houston, and Emanuel Sharp sinking a 28-foot three-point jumper, bringing Houston within striking distance. However, Texas Tech responded effectively, with Donovan Atwell contributing crucial free throws that ultimately sealed the victory.
This game served as a testament to Texas Tech's resilience and ability to perform under pressure, especially after facing a previous defeat to Houston. With this win, they not only improved their standing but also reinforced their reputation as a formidable force in the NCAAB landscape.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HOU -1.5 | 141.5 o -110 / u -110 | Houston Cougars -115 · Texas Tech Red Raiders -105 |
Leaders
- PointsJT Toppin31Texas Tech Red Raiders
- AssistsChristian Anderson9Texas Tech Red Raiders
- ReboundsJT Toppin12Texas Tech Red Raiders
- PointsKingston Flemings42Houston Cougars
- AssistsKingston Flemings6Houston Cougars
- ReboundsJoseph Tugler7Houston Cougars
Recent form
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Last 10: 8-2Streak W486 scored · 75.9 allowed per game5-0 at home
- W92-73at Baylor BearsJan 21
- W84-71vs BYU CougarsJan 18
- W88-74vs Utah UtesJan 15
- W73-71at Colorado BuffaloesJan 11
- L65-69at Houston CougarsJan 7
- W102-80vs Oklahoma State CowboysJan 3
- W87-57vs Winthrop EaglesDec 28
- W82-81at Duke Blue DevilsDec 21
- W101-90vs Northern Colorado BearsDec 17
- L86-93at Arkansas RazorbacksDec 13
Houston Cougars
Last 10: 10-0Streak W1081.7 scored · 60.8 allowed per game3-0 away
- W103-73vs Arizona State Sun DevilsJan 18
- W77-48vs West Virginia MountaineersJan 14
- W77-55at Baylor BearsJan 10
- W69-65vs Texas Tech Red RaidersJan 7
- W67-60at Cincinnati BearcatsJan 3
- W69-60vs Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersDec 30
- W94-85at Arkansas RazorbacksDec 20
- W99-57vs LSU New Orleans PrivateersDec 13
- W80-38vs Jackson State TigersDec 11
- W82-67vs Florida State SeminolesDec 7
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 36-3 | - | 16-2 |
| Houston | 30-7 | 2 | 14-4 |
| Iowa State | 29-8 | 4 | 12-6 |
| Kansas | 24-11 | 4 | 12-6 |
| Texas Tech | 23-11 | 4 | 12-6 |
| TCU | 23-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| BYU | 23-12 | 7 | 9-9 |
| UCF | 21-12 | 7 | 9-9 |
| West Virginia | 21-14 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Cincinnati | 18-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Colorado | 17-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Arizona State | 17-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma State | 20-15 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Baylor | 17-17 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Kansas State | 12-20 | 13 | 3-15 |
| Utah | 10-22 | 14 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Houston Cougars | Texas Tech Red Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-60 | 27-62 |
| Field goal % | 48 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 11-28 | 12-29 |
| Three-point % | 39 | 41 |
| Free throws | 17-21 | 24-30 |
| Free throw % | 81 | 80 |
| Rebounds | 28 | 44 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 21 |
| Defensive rebounds | 17 | 23 |
| Assists | 9 | 16 |
| Steals | 5 | 1 |
| Blocks | 1 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 2 | 3 |
| Points in the paint | 22 | 26 |
| Fouls | 25 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 11 |
| Lead changes | 8 | 8 |
| Time in front | 47 | 46 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half52-57JT Toppin makes layup (Christian Anderson assists)
- 2nd Half54-57Emanuel Sharp makes 11-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half56-57Kingston Flemings makes layup
- 2nd Half56-59JT Toppin makes 1-foot dunk (Christian Anderson assists)
- 2nd Half58-59Ramon Walker Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-59Kingston Flemings makes 25-foot three point jumper (Milos Uzan assists)
- 2nd Half61-60Christian Anderson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-61Christian Anderson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-61Kingston Flemings makes 13-foot jumper
- 2nd Half63-63Jaylen Petty makes 14-foot jumper
- 2nd Half66-63Milos Uzan makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half66-65JT Toppin makes layup
- 2nd Half67-65Kingston Flemings makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-65Kingston Flemings makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-67JT Toppin makes layup
- 2nd Half70-67Kingston Flemings makes 16-foot jumper
- 2nd Half71-67Joseph Tugler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-68Christian Anderson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-69Christian Anderson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-70JT Toppin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-71JT Toppin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-72Jaylen Petty makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-73Jaylen Petty makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-73Kingston Flemings makes driving layup
- 2nd Half73-75JT Toppin makes 7-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half76-75Chase McCarty makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half77-75Kingston Flemings makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-78Donovan Atwell makes 25-foot three point jumper (JT Toppin assists)
- 2nd Half77-81Donovan Atwell makes 24-foot three point jumper (JT Toppin assists)
- 2nd Half79-81Kingston Flemings makes layup
- 2nd Half79-82LeJuan Watts makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-84Tyeree Bryan makes layup
- 2nd Half79-86JT Toppin makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half82-86Emanuel Sharp makes 28-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half82-87Christian Anderson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half84-87Kingston Flemings makes layup
- 2nd Half84-88Donovan Atwell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half86-88Kingston Flemings makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half86-89Donovan Atwell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half86-90Donovan Atwell makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Texas Tech Red Raiders, below favours Houston Cougars.
Venue
- United Supermarkets ArenaLubbock, TX
- Attendance15098
- OfficialsMichael Greenstein, Marques Pettigrew, Chris Merlo
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond
Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Texas Tech Edges Houston in Close ContestSep 18, 2026
- Houston Cougars Edge Texas Tech Red Raiders 69-65Jan 6, 2026
- Texas Tech Dominates Houston in NCAAF ClashOct 4, 2025