Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) controls the ball as Auburn Tigers forward Chaney Johnson (31) defends during the first half at Toyota Center. / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images It's rare that an early-season college basketball game lives up to the ...

Auburn men‘s basketball team did not let Friday’s team altercation during the flight to Texas distract them from a 74-69 victory over Houston. After a scoreless college debut, freshman Tahaad Pettiford led the Tigers with 21 points draining four 3-pointers in the contest.

Both Howard and Hudson were reportedly barred from getting on Auburn’s second flight to Houston on Friday night and will not rejoin the team for Saturday evening’s game, according to CBS Sports. The two bench players each saw at least 15 minutes of action in Auburn’s season-opening victory against Vermont.