Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson reacts to a call as Auburn Tigers take on the Houston Cougars at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

No. 1 Houston overcomes poor shooting for win over No. 22 Auburn

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 16, 2025 7:08 PM ET

In a Sunday full of thrilling NFL games, there was also a top-25 men's college basketball matchup between the No. 1-ranked Houston Cougars and No. 22-ranked Auburn Tigers.

The energy and thrilling finish matched that of a good portion of the NFL games on Sunday, and it was ultimately Houston that came away with a 73-72 win.

The Houston defense managed several deflections and blocked shots in the closing moments that ultimately helped it clinch the one-point win.

Houston prevails despite poor shooting

Houston had a poor shooting day in most aspects of the game. It shot just 43% from the field and 29% from three-point range. Both of those numbers were season lows for the Cougars through four games.

Despite that, Kelvin Sampson's squad found a way to come out of Sunday with its first top-25 victory of the season.

Wild ending in Birmingham as No. 1 Houston hangs on vs. No. 22 Auburn. Steven Pearl seemed pretty fired up about the no-call to end the game. Think they got it right: pic.twitter.com/CPlmm1E7HJ
— Kyle Boone (@kyletheboone) November 16, 2025

ROAD GAMES ARE STREET FIGHTS#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/U0ok33UFNo
— Houston Men's Hoops (@UHCougarMBK) November 16, 2025

Suffocating defense

Despite the bad shooting day from Houston, its suffocating defense held Auburn to an even worse shooting performance. The Tigers shot just 39% from the field, 32% from three-point range and 64% from the free throw line.

The Houston defense collected seven steals and had five blocks, including one each from five separate players.

Upcoming schedules

Next up, Houston will get a light two-game stretch that includes games against Rider and Syracuse. Auburn will get a home game against Jackson State before a four-game stretch that includes Oregon, No. 6 Michigan, North Carolina State and No. 5 Arizona.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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