Cougars Defeat Towson 65–48, Rise to No. 1 in AP Poll After Strong Home Win

The Houston Cougars handled business at home Saturday, defeating Towson 65–48 at the Fertitta Center — a win that helped set the stage for their return to the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press Top 25 poll released Monday. It’s Houston’s first time atop the rankings since a three-week run in February 2024.

Freshman guard Kingston Flemings led the Cougars with 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including 11 in the second half, as Houston (2-0) stayed unbeaten. Milos Uzan added 11 points and six assists, while Emanuel Sharp contributed nine points and a pair of early 3-pointers.

The Cougars led 33–26 at halftime and closed the game on a 14-0 run over the final seven minutes, fueled by their trademark defense. Houston held Towson (1-1) to just 32 percent shooting and 4-of-18 from three-point range.

While the final score looked comfortable, head coach Kelvin Sampson’s team wasn’t flawless. The Cougars committed 12 turnovers and were briefly out-rebounded in the first half before tightening up late, finishing with a 12–9 edge on offensive boards.

The victory extended Houston’s home winning streak and reaffirmed its reputation as one of the nation’s toughest defensive teams. With a deep roster and rising stars like Flemings, the Cougars appear poised to defend their top ranking heading into a challenging nonconference stretch.