In an electrifying turn of events, the University of Houston Cougars edged out top-ranked Duke 70-67 in the second national semifinal at the Alamodome. The victory marked a stunning comeback for the Coogs, who trailed by as many as 14 points with just over eight minutes left to play.
Led by J’Wan Roberts, who sank two clutch free throws to seal the win, Houston’s squad demonstrated resilience and determination. The 23-year-old forward spent hours perfecting his free-throw shooting and earned a crucial opportunity to extend the lead after Duke’s Cooper Flagg missed an elbow jumper with eight seconds remaining.
The turning point came when Joseph Tugua knocked away the final inbounds pass intended for Flagg, setting up Houston’s winning possession. Duke’s Coach Jon Scheyer expressed regret over his team’s inability to close out the game, stating that he could have done more to help his players in the end.
With this win, Houston advances to its third title game appearance in school history and cements its status as a powerhouse program under coach Kelvin Sampson. The Cougars will now face off against No. 1 overall seed Auburn was removed from the article due to its replacement by another team, Florida.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6258105/2025/04/06/duke-basketball-cooper-flagg-houston-final-four