No. 8 Houston Cougars basketball had a tough match against the Cincinnati Bearcats, but they managed to win 67-60 in their Big 12 conference opener. This victory marks another milestone for the team, as they have now won 13 straight games against Cincinnati and 11 straight conference openers. The new look Cougars showed great determination in their first conference game of the season, where every contest will be challenging.

Here’s a breakdown of the good, bad, and ugly aspects of this hard-fought win:

Good: Clutch Guard Play

Every time Houston needed a crucial basket, the team delivered. The clutch shooting in the second half was a positive sign for the future. Freshman phenom guard Kingston Flemings showcased his abilities in a true road environment.

Flemings led the team with 19 points, six assists, and just one turnover. This performance was impressive for an 18-year-old when Houston was trailing for most of the game. Houston outscored Cincinnati 39-27 in the second half.

Senior point guard Milos Uzan demonstrated his experience on the road and had his best performance of the season so far. Uzan made multiple clutch 3-pointers, which he has done in the past. He scored 18 points on 50% shooting from the field and hit four triples.

Houston was down by two or three points multiple times during the final stretch, but Uzan and Flemings had answers nearly every time. If not, junior forward Joseph Tugler was a dominant force in the paint with key second-chance points and offensive rebounds. Tugler added eight points and seven rebounds. The defense also played a critical role by forcing turnovers at important moments.

Bad: Deficits

Houston found itself in difficult situations against Cincinnati, but still managed to win. However, this may not be possible against stronger competition, especially on the road. The Cougars were down 17-8 and 40-30, but they used big turnovers and clutch 3-pointers to turn things around. The offense experienced stretches of droughts and relied heavily on freshman Flemings for scoring.

Ugly: Emanuel Sharp

Houston secured a tough road win without their best scorer. Senior guard Emanuel Sharp only scored two points, but the Cougars still managed to win. He was held scoreless for most of the game before hitting a couple of late free throws to seal the victory.

Sharp was 0/9 from the field and 0/5 from beyond the arc. His streak of making one 3-pointer in his last 29 games ended. Sharp had four fouls and three turnovers. Despite this, the other two point guards and the bench stepped up. It was an impressive win simply because the team’s top scorer only had two points. Usually, such a situation would not lead to a victory, but Houston proved otherwise.

Houston will face their first Big 12 home game against No. 15 Texas Tech on Tuesday.

Key Takeaways From Houston Cougars’ Thrilling Big 12 Opener Win at Cincinnati

Houston Overcomes Early Deficit To Defeat Cincinnati In Big 12 Opener

Houston Finds a Way Late: No. 8 Houston Cougars vs Cincinnati Bearcats Live Updates

Here Are The Toughest Games On Houston’s Big 12 Schedule