L.J. Cryer made six 3-pointers and matched his career high of 30 points as top-seeded Houston earned its sixth straight Sweet 16 berth with an 81-76 victory over No. 8 Gonzaga on Saturday night in Midwest Region second-round play in Wichita, Kan.
The Cougars’ Ja’Vier Francis blocked the 3-point shot of the Bulldogs’ Khalif Battle with under three seconds left and Houston leading by three. Milos Uzan then sank two free throws with 2.1 seconds left to seal the victory.
J’Wan Roberts added 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Cougars (32-4), who will face No. 4 Purdue in the Sweet 16. Emanuel Sharp had 12 points and Joseph Tugler contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds as Houston won its 15th straight game and 28th in its past 29.
“Shout-out to the kids that came before this group. I’m really proud of this team,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said.
“Let’s stop and congratulate Mark Few and Gonzaga for what they’ve accomplished and for being a shining light for basketball programs and basketball coaches for a long, long time,” Sampson added. “There is nobody I respect more than Mark Few and there’s not a basketball program I respect more than Gonzaga. We beat a hell of a program and that makes it even more significant.”
Graham Ike scored 23 of his 27 points in the second half for Gonzaga (26-9), which came up short in its bid for a 10th straight Sweet 16 appearance.
Battle added 17 points and six boards, Braden Huff scored 11 and Ryan Nembhard added 10 points and 11 assists for the Bulldogs, who trailed by 12 with 6:27 left before making it a one-possession game at the end.
“It ended up being a great, great basketball game, especially with the way our guys fought back into the basketball game and gave ourselves a chance right there at the end,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. ” … Houston, to experience them live and in person, Kelvin has them playing not only exceptional defense, but offensively.”
Houston shot 46.8 percent from the field and hit 8 of 16 from 3-point range.
The Bulldogs connected on 50 percent of their shots and were 9-of-20 from behind the arc.
Nembhard made two free throws and Ike scored five straight points as the Zags cut Houston’s lead to 76-72 with 1:18 remaining.
Mylik Wilson split two free throws for the Cougars with 51 seconds left before Ike made two foul shots to bring the Zags within 77-74 with 38.7 seconds left.
Then during a double team near midcourt, Battle stole the ball from Uzan and was fouled. He made both free throws to make it a one-point game with 21 seconds left.
Cryer connected on two free throws with 14.6 seconds left to give Houston a three-point lead before the final sequence.
“We’ve been in this position before,” Cryer said. “I mean, we have to finish the game better at the end of the day. We’re just glad to get the win and blessed to continue in the tournament.”
Roberts opened the second half with four baskets in the first 2:44 as the Cougars increased an eight-point halftime lead to 43-31.
Ike made two 3-pointers and scored 10 straight Gonzaga points as the Zags moved within 48-41 with 14:20 left in the game.
A short time later, Uzan drilled a 3-pointer and Tugler hit a jumper as Houston took a 60-46 lead with 11:27 remaining.
The Zags responded with seven straight points — four by Ike — to cut the Cougars’ lead in half.
Roberts sank a shot to make it 76-65 left with 4:29 to play before the Zags made their frantic charge.
Cryer made four 3-pointers while scoring 16 first-half points as the Cougars held a 35-27 lead at the break.
“When he gets that thing going, he’s pretty tough to guard,” Nembhard said of Cryer. “He made some tough shots. Good player. Credit to him. He had a good night tonight.”
–Field Level Media
