The Houston Cougars pulled off a miraculous comeback against Duke in the national semifinals of the NCAA college basketball tournament. Trailing by 14 points with eight minutes left, Houston’s suffocating defense led by Joseph Tugler’s blocks and L.J. Cryer’s 26 points propelled them to a 70-67 victory. The Cougars held Duke to just one field goal in the last 10 1/2 minutes, securing their spot in the championship game for the first time since 1984.
The Cougars’ relentless defense, marked by steals and blocked shots, allowed them to claw back from a seemingly insurmountable deficit. Despite facing a talented Duke team led by Cooper Flagg, Houston’s determination and resilience shone through as they executed a 9-0 run in the final 33 seconds to secure the win.
The victory sets up a championship showdown against Florida, who defeated Auburn in the other semifinal matchup. Houston’s defensive prowess and ability to stifle opponents has been the key to their success throughout the tournament, and they will look to continue their impressive run in the title game.
The Cougars’ remarkable comeback not only captured the attention of fans but also made waves in the betting world, with an artificial intelligence program winning a $1 million bet on the outcome of the game. Houston’s unexpected triumph over Duke has solidified their status as a team to watch in the championship game, where they will aim to claim their first NCAA title in program history.
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