The Houston Cougars delivered a heart-pounding comeback in the Final Four in San Antonio, TX, overcoming a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat the Duke Blue Devils 70-67 on Saturday night. With the win, Houston advances to its first NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship appearance since the legendary Phi Slama Jama era — and will face the Florida Gators for the title on Monday night.
Houston Defense Shuts Down Duke in Final Minutes
The Cougars’ tenacious defense proved unstoppable down the stretch, holding Duke to just one field goal over the final 10.5 minutes of regulation. Duke freshman star Cooper Flagg finished with 27 points but was held scoreless in the closing minutes, struggling to find clean looks as Houston clamped down.
J’Wan Roberts came up huge on both ends of the court, disrupting Flagg’s step-back jumper in the final minute and sinking two clutch free throws with 19.6 seconds remaining to give Houston its first lead since early in the first half.
On Duke’s final possession, Tyrese Proctor’s last-second three-point attempt missed everything, sending the Cougars and their fans into a frenzy.
LJ Cryer Leads the Charge
Houston guard LJ Cryer led all scorers with 26 points, including two crucial free throws in the final seconds to push the Cougars’ lead to three — their largest of the game. The Cougars outscored Duke 11-1 to close the game, showcasing the grit and resilience that has defined their 2024–25 season.
Cougars Seek First NCAA Title in School History
Houston now turns its attention to Florida, who defeated Auburn 79-73 earlier in the evening. The national title game is set for Monday night, with contrasting styles expected — Florida’s fast-paced offense vs. Houston’s lockdown defense.
This is a historic opportunity for the Cougars, who have never won a national title despite storied runs in the past. With a defensive identity built around securing “kill stops” — three consecutive stops in a row — Houston proved once again they’re built for championship moments.
Joseph Tugler added four blocked shots, anchoring a Cougars defense that suffocated Duke down the stretch and elevated Houston to one of its most memorable wins in school history.
Follow Houston’s historic run and season highlights at uhcougars.com.
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