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3w ago

Houston Stages Historic Comeback to Defeat Duke in Final Four Thriller

The Cougars overcame a 14-point deficit in the second half, securing a 70-67 victory and a spot in the NCAA Championship against Florida.

Duke forward Cooper Flagg (2) stands with teammates Tyrese Proctor (5) and Kon Knueppel after their loss to Houston in the national semifinals of the 2025 NCAA men's tournament at the Alamodome.
Houston's Emanuel Sharp (21) and J'Wan Roberts celebrate after their comeback win against Duke on Saturday night at the Alamodome.
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Hosuton's L.J. Cryer battles Duke forward Cooper Flagg for the ball during the first half of Saturday night's NCAA Tournament semifinal at the Alamodome.

Overview

  • Houston's 70-67 win over Duke featured the second-largest second-half comeback in Final Four history, erasing a 14-point deficit with just over eight minutes remaining.
  • The Cougars' top-ranked defense held Duke to one field goal in the final 10 minutes, showcasing their resilience and discipline under pressure.
  • A controversial foul call on Duke's Cooper Flagg with 19 seconds left allowed Houston's J’Wan Roberts to sink two decisive free throws, giving the Cougars their first lead since early in the game.
  • Duke's collapse, despite leading in five key statistical categories, is being criticized as a historic failure, with scrutiny on coach Jon Scheyer's leadership and the team's execution in critical moments.
  • Houston's victory, seen as a culmination of Kelvin Sampson's coaching career, sets up a championship showdown against Florida on Monday, marking a potential milestone for the program.