In a thrilling NCAA Tournament game, the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars held off the eighth-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs to win 81-76 and advance to the Sweet 16 for the sixth consecutive year. Houston’s LJ Cryer scored a career-high 30 points, including crucial free throws in the final seconds. J’Wan Roberts added 18 points for the Cougars. Gonzaga, known for its offense, was held in check by Houston’s defense. Graham Ike led the Bulldogs with 27 points. Despite a late comeback attempt by Gonzaga, Houston maintained their lead and secured the win.
Houston’s victory ended Gonzaga’s streak of nine consecutive Sweet 16 appearances, the longest active streak in the nation. Coach Kelvin Sampson praised his team’s performance against a highly respected program like Gonzaga. The Cougars will face No. 4 seed Purdue in the regional semifinals.
The game showcased Houston’s physical dominance and defensive prowess, with Cryer and Roberts leading the way. Gonzaga, known for its high-scoring offense, struggled against Houston’s solid defense. Despite a late surge by Gonzaga, Houston’s resilience and composure sealed the win.
Both teams had successful seasons leading up to the tournament, with Houston and Gonzaga being two of the winningest programs in the past eight years. The game was expected to be a showdown between high-caliber teams, and Houston proved their worth as a top seed with a hard-fought victory.
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