LJ Cryer's 26 points; J'Wan Roberts' 2 clutch free throws leads Houston to 70-67 win over Duke in the National Semifinals

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POSTED: April 6, 2025 -- 11:30 a.m. CT

SAN ANTONIO, TX -- Alamodome

The Houston Cougars displayed grit, toughness, and a "never quit" / "never give up" mindset in a thrilling 70-67 come-from-behind victory over the Duke Blue Devils Saturday night in the second semifinal game of the 2025 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.

LJ Cryer led Houston with 26 points. Cryer kept Houston close to Duke in the first half with 12 of Houston's 28 first-half points. Cryer made 3 of Houston's 5 three-point field goals in the opening half.

Houston (35-4) didn't shoot a high percentage for much of the first half. Houston was shooting 20% from the floor (5 for 25) until J'Wan Roberts' slam dunk on a baseline drive jump started 4 for 4 field goal shooting in the last 3 minutes of the half. Cryer hit 2 three-pointers sandwiched around a three-point basket by teammate Milos Uzan.

Despite the poor shooting most of the first half, Houston trailed Duke by just six points (34-28) at the half.

"Actually, I don't think we could play any worse," Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach said after the game. "We were down six at halftime."

"So instead of ranting and raving at halftime, I was probably more calm and positive 'cause I thought that's what they needed, you know?", Sampson continued. "They know they played poorly. But we're only down six. We're not down 16. We're down six. We were down to Purdue the other night I think five. We were down to Arizona in the Big 12 championship game I think by five.

"I mean, being down, what's the problem? Didn't matter to me that we were down to the team we were playing. We were down six. I say a stop and a basket away from four."

Houston's offense stayed hot to start the second half. The Coogs made 6 of their first 8 field goals; however, their deficit actually increased to 8 (50-42) with 13:30 to go in the second half. Duke made 6 of 12 shots; but, the Blue Devils were more active on the boards than Houston and sank 3 threes to Houston's 2 made threes.

"The problem was we were stopping them," Coach Sampson added. "Their first shot wasn't beating us. It was their second shot. They kept tracking down offensive rebounds. That's what was hurting us. I thought if we could hold them to 30 something from the field, be plus 10 on the boards, I thought we could win. Call me crazy, but I did."

Duke (35-4) stretched the lead to 59-45 with 8:02 remaining in the game. A Houston comeback did not seem likely; however, LJ Cryer drained a three-pointer to trim Houston's deficit to (59-48)

"After Cryer's three-point basket, Duke's Mason Gillis was called for a "Class A Technical Foul" for hitting Houston's JoJo Tugler in the head with his left arm.

Cryer split the 2 free throw attempts; but, Houston kept possession of the ball because of the technical foul called. Cryer nailed a jumper to cut Houston's lead to 8 (59-51) with 7:43 on the clock.

Houston scored the next 4 points to trim the deficit to 4 (59-55) with 5:03 on the game clock.

Duke responded with the next 5 points as Tyrese Procter made two free throws followed by Cooper Flagg's three-point splash.

Houston trailed Duke 64-55 with 3 minutes remaining in the game.

Emanuel Sharp hit a three-pointer to begin a personal 9-0 run and bring Houston within 5 (66-61) with 74 seconds.

Tugler was assessed a technical foul for touching the ball while it was in Sion James' hands. James was trying to toss the ball inbounds.

Duke's Kon Knueppel made the technical free throw. Duke kept possession of the ball; and, after driving to the hoop, Tugler blocked Knueppel's shot at the rim. Sharp grabbed the miss then raced up the court; passed to Milos Uzan. Uzan passed the back to Sharp and Sharp nailed a 3-pointer to bring Houston within 3 (67-64) with 33 seconds to go in the game.

Houston pressured Duke's inbounds attempt and forced a turnover as Mylik Wilson stole Sion James' pass.

Wilson's missed his three-point try; however, Tugler followed up with a putback slam dunk to bring the Coogs within 67-66 with 25 seconds remaining in the game.

Wilson fouled Tyrese Proctor with 20 seconds to go. Proctor missed the front of the 1-and-1 and J'Wan Roberts pulled down the missed attempt. Roberts was fouled by Cooper Flagg with 19 seconds on the clock.

Roberts -- a 67 percent free throw shooter -- made both foul shots to put Houston ahead 68-67.

"To tell you the honest truth, going up to the free-throw line," Roberts said of his game-winning free throws. "I wasn't really nervous at all just 'cause of the work that I put in, just believing in it and trusting myself. I try not to get sidetracked by how big the stage is or the crowd getting into it. I just try to trust myself, focus on my routine, and trust my work."

Duke called timeout. After the timeout, Roberts defended Flagg as well as could be expected. Flagg missed his jump shot attempt; and, Wilson grabbed the rebound. Wilson quickly passed the ball to Cryer; and Cryer was fouled by Tyrese Proctor with 3.7 seconds on the clock.

Cryer sank both free throws to finish the game with a team-high 26 points. Roberts added 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. Sharp scored 16 -- including 9 in a row in the final 2 minutes.

"We put the ball in Emanuel's hands because he had the matchup we wanted in the pick and roll," Coach Sampson commented. "Their best defenders were on L.J. and Milos. We thought Emanuel had the best chance to get the ball in the paint."

Duke did not have a timeout remaining and tossed the inbounds into the frontcourt. After a mad scramble, Knueppel tossed the ball to Proctor. Proctor's desperation heave missed and Houston pulled off the improbable comeback victory.

"Yeah, awesome win for my kids," Coach Sampson said. "Obviously we have great respect for Duke and their team, their tradition, what Coach K and Duke has meant to this game for so long.

"I said the same thing after we beat Gonzaga. You're not just beating a good team, you're beating an unbelievable program."

Next: Houston battles the Florida Gators, Monday night, Saturday, April 7, for the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. Tip-off is set for 7:50 pm CT on CBS.

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