Image Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Houston ends Gonzaga’s Record-tying Sweet 16 Streak

LJ Cryer dropped a career-high 30 points, including two free throws with 14.2 seconds left.

Image Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

No. 1 Houston put up a solid offensive performance to beat No. 8 Gonzaga 81-76 in one of the highly anticipated matchups of the second round and advanced to their sixth straight Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament. Houston also ended Gonzaga’s record-tying Sweet 16 streak, which had been the longest active streak in the country.

The Zags entered the March Madness with nine consecutive trips, the longest streak in the country. LJ Cryer dropped a career-high 30 points, including two free throws with 14.2 seconds left. J’Wan Roberts scored 18 points, and Milos Uzan had two last free throws with 2.1 seconds left.

HOUSTON KEEPS DANCING 🕺

The Cougars down (8) Gonzaga 81-76 to advance to the Sweet 16! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/72jpfx0YSB
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025

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Sixth consecutive Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament for Houston

Houston won its 15th straight game and are 32-4 in NCAA Men’s Basketball. Before this game, the Cougars had the best scoring defense in the country at 57.9 points allowed per game. The opponent was not the easier one as the Zags had the second-best scoring offense in the country at 86.7 points per game.

Houston sparked a 10-2 run in the first four minutes, thanks to Cryer’s back-to-back 3-pointers. The Cougars held a 14-point advantage in the first half and Cryer scored 16 of his team’s first 31 points. Gonzaga pulled it back and cut the deficit to eight points at halftime.

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson embraces Gonzaga's Khalif
Battle following the Cougars win pic.twitter.com/A8fj6iZUGq
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 23, 2025

Gonzaga found the motivation in the second half and made it a one-point game with an 11-1 run. Cryer made two free throws with 21 seconds left and Gonzaga couldn’t cross the line as they failed to get a final shot off.

This is the first time Gonzaga won’t play in the Sweet 16 of March Madness since 2014. 11 years ago, they lost in the same round against No. 1 seed Arizona.

Houston, the Midwest region’s No. 1 seed, set a regional semifinal clash against fourth-seeded Purdue on Friday night in Indianapolis. They are currently on a fifteen-game winning streak and will be favorites in the second week of March Madness.

Image Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

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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.