L.J. Cryer scored 26 points and capped a stunning 25-8 late-game run as No. 1 Houston rallied from 14 down to defeat Duke 70-67 and book a place in the NCAA men’s national championship game.
Houston trailed 59-45 with just over eight minutes left but clawed back with a relentless push led by Cryer, whose crucial free throws in the final seconds sealed the Cougars' return to the title game for the first time since 1984.
The dramatic finish included an 11-1 burst in the final 80 seconds. Emanuel Sharp hit a three-pointer with 32 seconds left, followed by a steal and a bucket to make it a one-point game.
After Tyrese Proctor missed the front end of a one-and-one, Duke freshman Cooper Flagg was called for an over-the-back foul. J’Wan Roberts sank both free throws, and Cryer closed the door from the line.
“Don’t sleep on Houston,” Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson said on CBS after the win.
Despite the loss, Flagg—winner of the Wooden Award—led all scorers with 27 points, including 19 in the second half. His three-pointer with three minutes remaining was Duke’s final field goal of the night. The Blue Devils went cold, hitting just one of their last nine shots and committing five turnovers down the stretch.
The win marks revenge for Houston, who were eliminated by Duke in the Sweet 16 last year. It also extends the Cougars’ winning streak to 18 games and their school-best record to 35-4. Houston is now 33-0 this season when holding opponents under 70 points.
Saturday’s semifinal began as a defensive grind, with Houston dominating the offensive boards early but failing to convert. Duke’s early edge came through Flagg and Kon Knueppel, who helped the Blue Devils to a 12-point first-half lead.
The second half saw Houston find its rhythm from beyond the arc, but Duke initially matched the surge. That changed over the final eight minutes, as Houston’s defense took over.
The victory gives Sampson his 799th career win and 299th with Houston. A national title win over Florida on Monday would deliver the program’s first-ever championship and personal milestones of 800 and 300 wins for Sampson.
The Cougars will face No. 1 Florida in the championship game on Monday night, aiming to complete their historic season with a long-awaited national crown.
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