LJ Cryer's 30 points helps Coogs edge Gonzaga, 81-76, in Round of 32

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POSTED: March 23, 2025 -- 12:25 p.m. CT

WICHITA, KS -- Intrust Arena

The Houston Cougars, the top-seed in the Midwest Region edged the 16-seed Gonzaga Bulldogs 81-76 in a second-round (Round of 32) game of the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Division I Tournament.

Houston led Gonzaga by as much as 14 points; but, Gonzaga made a great comeback in the final minutes of the game.

"That was a high-level, high-level 1-8 game because they were not an 8 seed," Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach said after the game. "That was a game that would have been awesome in the Elite Eight or Final Four. Gonzaga is really good. Ike, Huff, Nembhard, Battle, the way they just kept battling."

LJ Cryer, Houston graduate guard, matched-his career with 30 points. Cryer was on fire in the first half with 16 of Houston's 35 points. In the opening half, Cryer made 6 of his 8 field goal attempts including a white-hot 4 for 5 shooting from three point range.

Houston (32-4) shot 45.5 fg% (15 for 33) in the first half while Gonzaga (26-9) shot 41.4 fg% (12 for 29) including 3 for 11 (27.3 3pt%) from three.

The Coogs made a point of emphasis to get the ball in the paint in the second half and get the ball to graduate forward J'Wan Roberts. Roberts scored 6 points in the first half on 3 for 9 field goal shooting; however, he scored Houston's first 8 points on 4 for 5 shooting the first 3 minutes of the second half.

Gonzaga countered with point production from big man Graham Ike. Ike, surprisingly, knocked down two three-point shots early in the second half. Ike had not made more than one three-pointer in a game before Saturday's game against Houston. After sinking his 2 threes, Ike did damage in the paint. When he wasn't scoring on post ups, Ike drew fouls on Houston's big men; went to the free throw line and was a perfect 9-for-9 at the line in the second half.

Houston led Gonzaga 60-46 when UH sophomore big man JoJo Tugler fouled Ike on a Houston transition opportunity -- away from the basketball. After reviewing the video replay, the referees determined Tugler committed a Flagrant-1 foul on Tennessee.

Next: Houston's next game will be against Purdue this Friday, March 28. Tip-off and tv network have not been announced.

Ike made both free throws; then, teammate Emmanuel Innocenti made a three-point shot to trim Houston's lead to 60-51 with 10:42 remaining in the second half. One minute later, Ike made 2 more free throws to trim Houston's lead to just 7 (60-53).

LJ Cryer responded with 12 of Houston's next 14 points for a 74-63 Houston lead with 5:54 left in the ball game. After Ike scored a layup, J'Wan Roberts scored a jump hook with a 4:29 remaining for a 76-65 Houston lead.

Roberts' basket was Houston's last field goal of the game. Neither team scored for 2 minutes before Gonzaga point guard Ryan Nembhard made 2 free throws to slice Houston's lead to 76-67 with 2:30 on the game clock.

Gonzaga switched to a 1-3-1 defense and Houston's offense did not handle the pressure defense well. Houston's rhythm on offense was disrupted and led to turnovers and missed shots.

After Nembhard's 2 made free throws, Ike scored 5 straight to cut Houston's lead to 76-72 with 1:18 remaining.

Houston called timeout; and, after the timeout, LJ Cryer missed a three-point attempt. However, Houston reserve guard Mylik Wilson raced into the paint and pulled down the missed shot. Wilson was fouled and split the two free throws.

On the Zags' next possession, Ike went to work in the paint and was fouled. Again, he made both free throws to reduce Houston's lead to just 77-74 with 38 seconds on the clock.

Houston inbounded the ball. Houston point guard Milos Uzan dribbled into the front court; and, for some reason, Uzan picked up his dribble when he crossed halfcourt. Gonzaga trapped him and forced a turnover. Uzan fouled Gonzaga guard Khalif Battle with 21 seconds remaining.

Battle made both free throws to slice Houston's lead to 77-76.

After Battle's free throws, Houston got the ball in bounds to Cryer. Cryer was fouled and made both free throws.

Gonzaga did not a have a timeout to set up a play. Battle came off a high screen; however, Mylik Wilson shadowed Battle on the play and forced Battle to bobble the ball before tossing a prayer which Houston's Ja'Vier Francis stuffed with his left hand. The loose ball landed in Uzan's hands. Uzan was fouled and made both free throws to seal Houston's hard-fought victory.

Roberts finished the game with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Emanuel Sharp scored 12 and JoJo Tugler added 10 points and 11 rebounds in 20 minutes.

Graham Ike led the Zags with 27 points. Khalif Battle scored 17. Braden Huff added 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Ryan Nembhard finished with 10 points and 11 assists.

In the second half, Gonzaga shot 60.9 fg% (14 for 23) -- including 66.7 3pt% (6 for 9) from three -- and a perfect 15-for-15 at the foul line.

However, Houston did just enough to win the game.

"Proud of our guys. Cryer and Roberts played the way they played all year," Sampson commented. "I mean, they're both first team All Big 12 players. Cryer is an All American and Wan is the winningest player in the history of University of Houston basketball.

"Very blessed that I get to coach these two young men. Survive and advance, right?"

With the win, Houston advances to its sixth straight Sweet 16 and ends Gonzaga's streak of 9 consecutive Sweet 16 appearances.

"I'm telling you, man, Houston, until you experience them live and in person, they're something," Mark Few, Gonzaga Head Coach said after the game. "Kelvin has got them not only playing just exceptional defense, it's harder than heck to run anything and consistently get any good looks, but also offensively. I mean, we made a couple mistakes on our coverages, but for the most part they hit a lot of tough shots and shots we wanted them to take, especially with their bigs on the runners and floaters and all that.

"Our hats off to them, and we were worthy tonight for sure."

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