No. 8 Houston closes strong at BYU, 77-66, as Cougars’ skid reaches four games

Houston’s late surge flips a tight Big 12 matchup in Provo

No. 8 Houston created separation in the final minutes Saturday night in Provo, defeating No. 16 BYU 77-66 and extending the home Cougars’ losing streak to four games. The result moved Houston to 21-2 overall and 9-1 in Big 12 play, while BYU fell to 17-6 and 5-5.

After BYU briefly seized momentum early in the second half, Houston responded with an execution-driven close built around efficient shot-making, second-chance points and interior defense. Houston guard Kingston Flemings scored 19 points, with 11 coming after halftime. Chris Cenac Jr. added 16 points and Emanuel Sharp finished with 14.

Key sequence: Houston takes control after the game tightens

The game’s turning point came after BYU erased a first-half deficit and moved in front early in the second half. Back-to-back baskets by Rob Wright III capped a 14-4 run that put BYU ahead 51-48. Houston steadied, and with the score tied at 52, Flemings sparked an 11-2 run that shifted the game’s balance.

Flemings later hit four baskets during a 14-5 stretch that pushed Houston’s lead to 68-59 with 3:06 remaining. Houston also produced a critical extended possession with roughly six minutes left, collecting four offensive rebounds that resulted in six points, helping the visitors maintain control down the stretch.

BYU’s production and missed opportunities at the line

BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa led all scorers with 28 points, while Wright added 17. BYU repeatedly put pressure on Houston by attacking the paint and drawing fouls—getting Houston into the bonus quickly after intermission—but the advantage did not translate into enough points.

BYU went 16-of-28 at the free-throw line, leaving points unclaimed in a game decided by 11. The missed free throws compounded the difficulty of matching Houston’s late-game efficiency and rebounding on key possessions.

First half: Houston’s cushion, BYU’s response

Houston built a double-digit edge before halftime behind efficient offense and protection near the rim. When BYU trimmed the margin to one after consecutive 3-pointers from Richie Saunders and Wright, Houston answered with a 9-0 spurt to stretch the lead to 28-18, with Flemings scoring on both ends of the run.

Dybantsa helped BYU cut the halftime deficit to single digits by ending a multi-minute scoring drought with a driving layup and continuing to pressure the defense with a series of baskets and free throws.

• Houston: 21-2 overall, 9-1 Big 12; four-game winning streak.
• BYU: 17-6 overall, 5-5 Big 12; fourth consecutive loss.

Up next: Houston plays at Utah on Tuesday; BYU plays at Baylor on Tuesday.