Kelvin Sampson raised his arms into the air. LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp jumped for pleasure off the hardwood. Jim Nantz set free tears of pleasure within the stands.
The Houston Cougars delivered one of many all-time best comebacks in NCAA Event historical past on Saturday evening on the Alamodome, holding Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils to 1 area objective within the ultimate 10:31 en path to a shocking 70-67 come-from-behind win.
Kelvin Sampson’s crew relied on their top-ranked protection and well timed capturing to outscore Duke 11-1 over the ultimate 1:26 of the sport, incomes a Monday evening date with the Florida Gators within the nationwide championship sport.
“Nobody ever loses at something so long as you do not stop,” Sampson mentioned in a postgame interview. “If you stop, then I do not care, you’ve got misplaced.”
Duke held a 14-point lead with simply over eight minutes remaining within the sport and the vibe contained in the Alamodome was certainly one of future for the Blue Devils. Flagg seemed like he was poised to guide his Duke crew to a spot within the title sport.
After which, all the things modified.
Cryer, a fifth-year senior who transferred after three years at Baylor, engineered six straight factors that began with a triple. After one other cease, J’Wan Roberts lower the result in six, after which JoJo Tugler had a putback to cut the result in 4. In simply over three minutes, the Cougars have been again – or so it seemed prefer it.
Flagg hit a triple with 3:03 remaining to push the Blue Devils’ result in 9. After a bucket from Emanuel Sharp, the groups traded free throws and Duke was up seven with 1:26 on the clock.
“I mentioned to our group, ‘do not foul!'” Sampson mentioned in his opening assertion following the win. “It is lots simpler to shut out a win while you’re up 20. It is lots tougher while you’re up three or 4.”
Holding onto a 67-61 win with simply over 40 seconds remaining, Tugler got here up with a blocked shot and Sharp drilled a desperation triple from the fitting wing to chop it down to 3 factors. The subsequent sequence is when the scales tipped, as Sion James‘ inbounds go was stolen by Mylik Wilson. Tugler slammed residence a putback dunk to chop the result in one.
Duke guard Tyrese Proctor, a 69% free-throw shooter, stepped to the free-throw line and was lengthy on the primary try. Flagg tried to seize the rebound however was known as for an over-the-back foul.
Roberts, a 63% free-throw shooter who has been capturing 150 free throws each evening for the final week, in accordance with Sampson, drained each free throws to place the Cougars up 68-67 with 19 seconds remaining.
“That was a second the place arduous work pays off,” Sampson mentioned of Roberts’ free throws.
Duke known as timeout and drew a play up for Flagg, however the celebrity freshman missed a step-back jumper within the lane. Cryer went on to hit a pair of free throws and a desperation heave by Proctor was lengthy because the celebration was on for the Cougars.
“I hear what folks say. ‘Duke this. Duke that.’ Duke’s nice. Jon Scheyer is superior. However do not sleep on Houston,” Sampson mentioned. “We weren’t 34-4 taking part in within the Toy Poodle League.”
John Fanta is a nationwide faculty basketball broadcaster and author for FOX Sports activities. He covers the game in quite a lot of capacities, from calling video games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Community to offering commentary on The Subject of 68 Media Community. Observe him at @John_Fanta.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.
School Basketball
Get extra from School Basketball Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
