Episode Details

In a Final Four thriller that will be etched in March Madness lore, the Houston Cougars orchestrated a stunning 70-67 comeback victory over the Duke Blue Devils. For the majority of the contest, Duke, powered by freshman sensation Cooper Flagg's stellar performance of 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks, seemed destined for the National Championship game. The Blue Devils built a commanding 14-point lead midway through the second half, shooting 48% from the field and controlling the boards for a significant portion of the game. However, the Houston Cougars, boasting the nation's third-ranked defense allowing just 59.9 points per game during the regular season, refused to yield. Down the stretch, their veteran squad ratcheted up the defensive intensity, forcing Duke into crucial errors. In the final five minutes, Duke's offense sputtered, shooting a mere 1-for-7 from the field and committing 3 critical turnovers. Houston's pressure on Duke's ball-handlers, particularly freshman Tyrese Proctor who finished with 4 turnovers, proved pivotal.

Offensively, while Houston struggled at times, shooting 41% overall, their senior leadership shone through in the clutch. Guard LJ Cryer led the Cougars with 20 points, including 3 crucial three-pointers in the second half that ignited the comeback. His back-to-back triples with under four minutes remaining cut Duke's lead to just four points. Senior forward J'Wan Roberts was a force on the glass, pulling down a team-high 9 rebounds, including a critical offensive board with 30 seconds left that led to a game-tying put-back by Jamal Shead, who finished with 12 points and 5 assists.

The final minute was a nail-biting affair. With the score tied at 67, Roberts drew a foul with just 12.8 seconds remaining and calmly sank both free throws, giving Houston their first lead since the early minutes of the game. Duke had one final possession, but Houston's suffocating defense, which held Duke to just 31% shooting in the final five minutes, forced a contested three-pointer from Jeremy Roach that missed as the buzzer sounded.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Nissan
Take your adventures to new heights in the All-New Nissan Armada PRO-4X. Learn more at NissanUSA.com.
Disclaimers: Optional features. Towing capacity varies by configuration. See Nissan Towing Guide and Owner’s Manual for additional information. Always secure cargo.

PrizePicks
Download the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE and get $50 instantly when you play $5! You don't even need to win to receive the $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game. 
https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE

Fabric
Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their families. Apply today in just minutes at MEETFABRIC.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE. 

Supply House
Join the Trade Master program today at SupplyHouse.com/TM and start ordering plumbing, HVAC, and electrical supplies with just a few clicks. Plus, use promo code SH5 for 5% off your first order. That’s