Kingston Flemings scores 22 as No. 1 Houston holds off No. 22 Auburn 73-72
Freshman point guard Kingston Flemings scored 22 points, Chris Cenac Jr. had 18 points and nine rebounds and top-ranked Houston held on for a 73-72 victory over No. 22 Auburn on Sunday
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Freshman point guard Kingston Flemings scored 22 points, Chris Cenac Jr. had 18 points and nine rebounds and top-ranked Houston held on for a 73-72 victory over No. 22 Auburn on Sunday.
In a matchup of Final Four teams from last season, the Cougars (4-0) led throughout the second half, building multiple eight-point margins. Auburn (3-1) rallied behind a raucous neutral-site home crowd and had two chances to take the lead on the final possession. Two driving attempts by Tahaad Pettiford were nixed by Houston’s defense, including a block by Flemings. Auburn’s out-of-bounds lob play with 1 second left was batted away at the rim.
Keyshawn Hall led the Tigers with 20 points and 11 rebounds — his third consecutive double-double — though he made only 6 of 16 shots. He wasn’t around for the climactic possession. He injured his right foot after being fouled with 4:14 left. He sank two free throws before hobbling to the bench.
The Tigers held a massive edge in free-throw attempts, but didn’t fully capitalize, making 21 of 33 to the Cougars’ 10 of 12.
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After scoring 90-plus points in their first three wins over mid-major competition, the Tigers found themselves suffocated by Houston’s gritty defense. They shot 39% compared with 43% by the Cougars.
Flemings poured in 18 first-half points, including a late 3 that put Houston up 39-35 heading into the locker room. He didn’t score again until 5:54 remained in the game, making a driving layup that gave the Cougars a 66-62 cushion.
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