In a closely contested game, the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars defeated the eighth-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs 81-76 to advance to the Sweet 16 for the sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament. LJ Cryer led the way with 30 points, while J’Wan Roberts added 18 points for the Cougars. Houston’s win also ended Gonzaga’s streak of nine straight appearances in the Sweet 16, the longest active streak in the nation.
Despite trailing by nine points with just over two minutes remaining, Gonzaga made a late comeback fueled by free throws. However, Cryer’s clutch free throws in the closing seconds secured the victory for Houston. Graham Ike led the Bulldogs with 27 points, while Khalif Battle added 17 points.
Houston’s physical dominance and Cryer’s scoring prowess helped them take control of the game early, leading by eight points at halftime. Roberts stepped up in the second half to maintain the lead and secure the win for the Cougars.
The Cougars will now face the No. 4 seed Purdue in the regional semifinal, looking to advance to the Elite Eight. Despite Gonzaga’s high-scoring offense, Houston’s defense was able to limit their scoring and hold them off in the crucial moments of the game. The Cougars’ depth and fresh legs from their previous game helped them secure the victory and advance in the tournament.
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