Image Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Duke vs. Houston March Madness Men’s Basketball Result – LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp shine as Underdogs Houston Cougars beat favorites Cooper Flagg and Duke Blue Devils!

With this win, Houston Cougars also snapped their seven-game Final Four losing streak.

Image Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Houston Cougars pulled off a come-from-behind win to knock down favorites Duke Blue Devils 70-67 in the Final Four classic in San Antonio on Saturday night. LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp helped Houston clinch their first national championship game since 1984.

The Cougars were nine points behind with 2:15 left and they sparked an 11-1 run to surprise the Blue Devils, who had built a solid lead from the early first half. LJ Cryer scored 26 points and Emanuel Sharp chipped in 16, including nine points down the stretch.

THE COUGARS DANCE THEIR WAY BACK INTO THE #NATIONALCHAMPIONSHIP GAME 🕺#MarchMadness @UHCougarMBK pic.twitter.com/bVx46ZTgfG
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 6, 2025

Copper Flagg was the top performer for Duke with 27 points, 7 rebounds and four assists. Kon Knueppel added 16 points and 7 rebounds. J’wan Roberts paced the Cougars with a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. He also dropped two crucial free throws in the end to take a decisive lead.

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Houston Drops Comeback for the Ages through LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp

Duke held a 34-28 lead at halftime, courtesy of Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg’s 12 and eight points. Both teams made a slow start but the Blue Devils picked the pace with an early 9-2 run. At one stage, Duke stretched the lead to 12 points but Houston reduced it through Cryer, who finished with 12 points in the opening half.

The second half provided a classic NCAA matchup, as Houston came from a double-digit deficit to stun Duke. In the middle of the second half, the Cougars missed seven of their nine shots and the Blues Devils extended their lead to 14 with eight minutes left in the game.

Cryer’s second three of the half sparked the comeback for the Cougars, who had a 10-0 run. Houston reduced the deficit to just four points with less than four minutes left. Cryer scored the first six points in the process. Tyrese Proctor’s free throws and Flagg’s corner three helped Duke to take a nine-point lead.

WE'VE GOT A ONE-POINT GAME 🍿#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/nchj0ZBxiQ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 6, 2025

Sharp dropped a deep three to make it a one-possession game. The Blue Devils held a 67-64 lead with 32 second left. Roberts knocked down both free throws after Tuger’s powerful dunk and Houston led 68-67. Duke had no answer and one more three-pointer in the final seconds assured a biggest comeback win for the Cougars.

It’s a remarkable achievement for the Cougars, who ended the 41-year drought of not reaching the final of NCAA tournament. With this win, Houston also snapped their seven-game Final Four losing streak. They will take on Florida on Monday, Apr. 7 at 8:50 p.m. ET. Florida outclassed the overall top-seed Auburn 79-73 in the first game of the day.

Image Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Copper Flagg

Duke vs. Houston

Emanuel Sharp

LJ Cryer

March Madness

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.