Houston completed an incredible comeback to defeat Duke 70-67 in the Final Four, securing a spot in the national championship game for the first time since 1984. The Cougars, who had not reached the title game in over 40 years, overcame a nine-point deficit with less than three minutes remaining to stun the Blue Devils. With a relentless 11-1 run, Houston snapped a seven-game Final Four losing streak, making history in the process.
Houston Stuns Duke with Historic Final Four Comeback
Houston’s victory over Duke marked a dramatic and emotional moment for the Cougars, who had long been haunted by their past Final Four failures. Entering this year’s Final Four, Houston had lost seven consecutive times in the national semifinals—the most losses of any Division I program in history. With just 2:15 left in the game, the Cougars were facing an uphill battle, trailing 64-55.
But in a turn of events that captivated fans and analysts alike, Houston went on a remarkable 11-1 run, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. The comeback began with a key three-pointer and was fueled by exceptional defense and some timely free throws. By the final buzzer, Houston had turned the game around, securing a 70-67 win and punching their ticket to the national title game.
Key Performances Fuel the Comeback
Houston’s guard LJ Cryer had been dominant throughout the game, scoring 26 points before the Cougars’ late surge. However, it was Emanuel Sharp’s timely contributions that truly sparked the comeback. Sharp started the rally with a crucial second-chance layup and followed it up with two free throws. Despite Duke’s Cooper Flagg, who finished the game with a game-high 27 points, hitting consecutive free throws on the next possession, Sharp’s efforts helped the Cougars inch closer, cutting the deficit to 66-61 with just over a minute remaining.
Houston’s Defense and Key Turnovers Seal the Victory
With the clock ticking down, Duke’s Kon Knueppel made a free throw to extend the Blue Devils’ lead to 67-61. However, Houston wasn’t done yet. Sharp hit a clutch three-pointer, making it a one-possession game at 67-64 with 33 seconds left. The atmosphere was electric as both teams battled for control in the final moments.
The game’s defining moment came when Houston forced a turnover on Duke’s inbound pass. Joseph Tugler capitalized with a dunk, cutting the deficit to 67-66. On the other end, Duke’s Tyrese Proctor missed a one-and-one free throw, and with just 19 seconds left, Houston’s J’Wan Roberts was sent to the charity stripe after a foul by Flagg. Roberts calmly knocked down both free throws, giving the Cougars a 68-67 lead.
Flagg and Proctor Fail to Respond in Final Seconds
Duke’s Flagg had a chance to respond but missed a fadeaway jumper in the closing seconds. On the final possession, Proctor’s three-point attempt missed, and the game ended with Duke failing to score a field goal in the final 10 minutes of play. Houston’s defense, combined with their clutch shooting and timely turnovers, sealed the stunning victory, as reported by Daljoog News.
A Historic Milestone for Houston
This win not only secured Houston’s first trip to the national championship game in over four decades but also ended a long and painful stretch of Final Four disappointments. The Cougars, under head coach Kelvin Sampson, will now look to cap off their historic season with the ultimate prize—the national title.
The Cougars will face the winner of the second Final Four matchup, looking to make history with their first-ever national championship victory. With the momentum from this thrilling comeback, Houston enters the title game as one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament.
Looking Ahead to the Championship Game
Houston’s remarkable run to the national championship game has captured the imagination of college basketball fans everywhere. As the Cougars prepare for their title game, all eyes will be on how they can build on this historic performance. Will they continue their dominant play, or will their journey come to an end in the final game?
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Houston’s dramatic win over Duke will go down in history as one of the greatest comebacks in Final Four history. Their path to the national title game is a testament to resilience, teamwork, and clutch performances when it mattered most. The Cougars now stand on the brink of glory, with one final game separating them from college basketball’s ultimate prize.
