Houston forward J’Wan Roberts (13) and guard Mylik Wilson (8) celebrate as the team scores ahead of Duke during the second half of the Final Four, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

SAN ANTONIO — For the first time in 41 years, Houston men’s basketball is headed back to the national championship.

The Cougars trailed by 14 with just over eight minutes remaining, but with a whole lot of belief in each other, they pulled off an improbable 70–67 win over Duke inside the Alamodome.

“No one ever loses at anything as long as you don’t quit,” coach Kelvin Sampson said. “We felt like if we could get it close enough to put some game pressure on them, that something good could happen.”

Houston continued to chip away at a lead Duke had held since just over four minutes into the contest.

Redshirt junior guard Emanuel Sharp knocked down a 3-pointer to pull the Cougars within three. Just 33 seconds remained, but that was more than enough time for Houston to make its move.

“That just gave everyone hope,” Sharp said.

That hope carried into the next Houston possession, as sophomore forward Joseph Tugler slammed in a dunk to bring Houston within one, after collecting an offensive rebound following an outside miss from graduate guard Mylik Wilson.

Then, graduate forward J’Wan Roberts, the winningest player in school history, stepped up to the free-throw line.

Roberts calmly sank both critical shots to give Houston its first lead of the second half.

A last-chance foul by junior guard Tyrese Proctor sent graduate guard L.J. Cryer to the line, where he hit two free throws to seal the win.

Houston held Duke scoreless for the last three minutes of play. Freshman forward Cooper Flagg, who finished with 27, scored the Blue Devils last field goal that put them up nine.

Cryer carried the Cougars throughout the night, drilling six 3-pointers and totaling 26 points to keep Houston in the fight, but the team’s faith in each other kept them in the contest.

Houston will face Florida in the national championship game Monday at 7:50 p.m. CT.

On a whiteboard in the Cougars’ locker room, the phrase “one more” stood next to their 35-4 record.

One more win is all it takes to bring Houston its elusive national title.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“Cougar comeback sends Houston men’s basketball to first national championship in 41 years” was originally posted on The Cougar