No. 8 Houston Hands BYU Fourth Straight Loss

Cougars' Freshman Duo Leads Them to Victory Over Struggling Cougars

Feb. 9, 2026 at 9:07pm

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The No. 16 BYU Cougars extended their season-long slide Saturday in Provo with a 77-66 loss to the No. 8 University of Houston Cougars. Houston came out on a quick 7-2 run, and BYU struggled to penetrate their physical pressure. BYU cut into the deficit in the second half, but Houston's freshman duo of Chris Cenac Jr. and Kingston Flemings refused to allow their team to lose, as Houston picked up a huge road win.

Why it matters

This loss marks the fourth straight for BYU, who are now in a rut and searching for answers. The game highlighted BYU's struggles with rebounding, free throw shooting, and finishing close games against top-tier opponents. Houston, on the other hand, showed their depth and composure in a tough road environment.

The details

BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa had a big game with 28 points, but got little help from his teammates. Houston had four starters score in double figures, led by Flemings' 19 points. The Cougars also dominated the glass, grabbing 13 offensive rebounds that led to 7 second-chance points. BYU struggled mightily from the free throw line, going just 16-28 (57%).

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 10, 2026 in Provo, Utah.

The players

AJ Dybantsa

A freshman guard for BYU who led all scorers with 28 points.

Kingston Flemings

A freshman forward for Houston who scored a team-high 19 points.

Chris Cenac Jr.

A freshman guard for Houston who had 12 points in the first half.

Kelvin Sampson

The head coach of the University of Houston Cougars.

Kevin Young

The head coach of the BYU Cougars.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This game highlighted BYU's struggles to finish close games against top opponents, as they were unable to capitalize on opportunities down the stretch. Houston's depth and composure proved to be the difference, as their freshman duo stepped up when it mattered most.