In a thrilling NCAA Tournament matchup, the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars held on to beat the eighth-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs 81-76 to advance to the Sweet 16. LJ Cryer led the way for Houston with 30 points, while J’Wan Roberts added 18 points. The Cougars will face off against Purdue in the regional semifinal.
Houston ended Gonzaga’s streak of nine straight Sweet 16 appearances, showcasing their strength as a program. The Bulldogs made a late comeback attempt, coming within one point of Houston with 21 seconds left, but Cryer’s clutch free throws sealed the victory for the Cougars.
Both coaches praised the competitiveness of the game, with Kelvin Sampson highlighting Gonzaga’s quality despite their eighth seed. Graham Ike shone for the Bulldogs with 27 points, while Khalif Battle and Ryan Nembhard also had strong performances.
Houston’s defense limited Gonzaga’s high-scoring offense, holding them below their season average in points. The Cougars’ depth and fresh legs from a previous blowout win helped them secure the victory in a tight contest.
Looking ahead, Houston will face Purdue in the Sweet 16 with a chance to advance to the Elite Eight. The Cougars will aim to continue their impressive tournament run and build on their success against tough competition.
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