Houston completes the incredible return of Stun Duke, in advance to the title

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Kelvin Sampson raised his hands into the air. Lj Cryer and Emanuel Sharp Jumped with joy from hard wood. Jim Nantz released tears of joy in the stands.

AND Houston Cougars Delivered one of the greatest time in the history of NCAA tournament on Saturday night in Alamodoma, holding Cooper flagg AND The Duke of Blue Devils to one field goal in the last 10:31 on the way to a stunning 70-67 victory.

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Tim Kelvin Sampson relied on his best ranked defense and timely shooting to surpass Duke 11-1 during the last 1:26 games, earning a meeting on Monday night with Florida Gators in the national championship match.

“No one ever loses anything until you stop,” Sampson said in an interview after the game. “When you stop, then I don’t care, you lost.”

Duke had a lead of 14 points, and there was just over eight minutes left in the game, and the vibe within Alamodom was one of the fate of the blue devil. Flagg looked like he was ready to lead his Duke to a place in the title game.

And then everything changed.

Cryer, a five -year -old senior who moved to Baylor after three years, designed six real points that started with three. After another stop, J’wan Roberts reduce lead to six and then Jojo Tugler He had a return to chop the lead at four. In just over three minutes, the Cougars came back – or so it looked.

Flagg hit the triple and the remaining 3:03 to push the leadership of the blue devils at nine. After the bucket from Emanuel SharpThe teams traded free throws, and Duke was at seven with 1:26 on the hour.

“I told our group,” Don’t make a mistake! “Sampson said in his introductory statement after winning.” It’s much easier to close the victory when you are up to 20 years. It’s a lot harder when you’re three or four. ”

Holding on to win 67-61 with the remaining just over 40 seconds, Tugler came up with a blocked shot and sharply drilled a threesome of despair from the right wing to reduce it to three points. The next sequence is when the scale is intended, as Sion James‘The input passage stole Mylik Wilson. Tugler knocked home a knock to reduce the lead to one.

Duke Tirean proctor69% free -throw shooter, stepped on a free throw line and was long in the first attempt. Flagg tried to grab a recovery, but he was invited to an offense.

Roberts, a 63% free-throw shooter who fired at 150 free throws last week, according to Sampson, drained both free throws to increase Cougars 68-67 and remain 19 seconds.

“That was the moment when hard work is worth it,” Sampson said of Roberts’ free throws.

Duke called a timeout and attracted playing for Flagg, but the superpower freshman missed the stepping jumper in the strap. Cryer continued to hit a couple of free throws, and Proctor was long while the celebration was for Cougars.

“I hear people say.” Duke this. Duke to. “Duke is great.” We didn’t play 34-4 in the toy league. “

John Fanta is national basketball television and a Fox Sports writer. It covers the sport in various capacities, from the invitation of the games to the FS1 to serving as the leading host on the Big East Digital Network to provide comments on the field of 68 Media Network. Follow him on @John_fant.

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