Houston’s Dramatic Comeback Stuns Duke in Final Four Thriller
In the world of college basketball, few matchups are as highly anticipated as a Final Four clash between two powerhouse programs. On Saturday, the stage was set in San Antonio, Texas, for a showdown between the Duke Blue Devils and the Houston Cougars. For many, this game seemed like another step in Duke’s seemingly inevitable march to a national championship, with the spotlight shining brightly on the talented Cooper Flagg.
As the game unfolded, it appeared that Duke was well on its way to victory. A free throw by Tyrese Proctor put the Blue Devils up by 14 points with just over eight minutes remaining in the second half. The championship seemed within reach, and the Duke faithful were already envisioning the celebration. However, the Cougars had other plans.
Houston, known for its culture of defense, toughness, and offensive rebounding, refused to back down. They mounted an incredible comeback, stunning Duke with a 70-67 victory. The Cougars’ resilience was on full display as they executed a 9-0 run in the final 35 seconds of the game. The pivotal moment came when J’Wan Roberts sank two crucial free throws with 19 seconds left, giving Houston the lead. L.J. Cryer then sealed the victory with two more free throws with just 3.7 seconds remaining.
In the final moments, Flagg’s turnaround jumper fell short, and Proctor’s desperation three-pointer at the buzzer missed its mark. The Cougars’ comeback was complete, and the Blue Devils were left to ponder what might have been.
Reflecting on the game, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson expressed his pride in his team’s performance. “I hear what people say. Duke this, Duke that. Duke’s great. (Coach) Jon Scheyer is awesome,” Sampson said in his postgame interview on CBS. “But don’t sleep on Houston.”
The turning point of the game can be traced back to the 11:54 mark, when Flagg’s two free throws extended Duke’s lead to 56-42. From that moment on, the Cougars took control, closing the game on a remarkable 28-11 run. According to ESPN Research, Duke struggled during this stretch, shooting just 2-of-11 from the floor and committing five turnovers.
Cryer was the standout performer for Houston, leading the way with 26 points and six three-pointers. On the other side, Flagg delivered an impressive performance in his final college game, scoring 27 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out four assists. Despite Duke leading for 34:55 of the game, it was Houston’s 3:43 in the lead that ultimately mattered most.
With this victory, Houston advances to Monday’s national championship game, where they will face Florida, who defeated Auburn earlier on Saturday. The Cougars have reached the title game twice before, in 1983 and 1984, but they have yet to capture a national championship. This time, they hope to change that narrative and bring home the coveted trophy.
- Key Players: L.J. Cryer (Houston) – 26 points, 6 three-pointers
- Cooper Flagg (Duke) – 27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
- Game-Changing Moment: Houston’s 9-0 run in the final 35 seconds
- Upcoming Matchup: Houston vs. Florida in the national championship game
As the dust settles on this thrilling Final Four encounter, one thing is clear: Houston’s victory over Duke will be remembered as one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent college basketball history. The Cougars have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with, and they are now just one win away from achieving their ultimate goal.
Originally Written by: Jeff Borzello
