SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) — Duke University found themselves on the brink of yet another chance at a national championship in the Final Four, sitting comfortably ahead by double digits in the second half. It was a position they had been meticulously working toward throughout the season.
But what followed was a heart-wrenching and historic loss. Leading by 14 points with just over eight minutes to play, the Blue Devils unexpectedly unraveled. Their downfall stemmed from Houston’s relentless determination to remain competitive, even as the game seemed to be slipping away from them. There was a flurry of missed shots and mistakes from Duke, as well as a marked failure to deliver defensive stops. Not even Cooper Flagg, awarded the title of national player of the year, could change the tide with a late contested shot when Duke found themselves unexpectedly trailing.
By the final buzzer, the Cougars had executed an incredible comeback, scoring the last nine points in the concluding 33 seconds to secure a dramatic 70-67 victory in Saturday night’s semifinal.
Head coach Jon Scheyer reflected on the abrupt ending: “It’s heartbreaking, it’s incredibly disappointing,” he remarked, noting the painful reality of tournament play. With those words, he captured the emotional upheaval that reverberated throughout the Alamodome as euphoria for Houston collided with disbelief for Duke. A prospective sixth NCAA title for the Blue Devils, and Scheyer’s budding legacy following the footsteps of the legendary Mike Krzyzewski, had been dashed.
Cooper Flagg, reflecting on the bittersweet season that was, expressed his emotions after scoring 27 points in the match. “It was an incredible season,” he shared, his voice tinged with emotion, “Filled with incredible people and relationships I’ll treasure for life. It didn’t conclude the way we wished, but it was still an extraordinary year.”
Despite seemingly controlling the game, Duke found themselves scrambling in the closing moments. After LJ Cryer sunk two clutch free throws with only 3.7 seconds to go, Duke’s attempt at a tying three-pointer fell flat, leading to a missed opportunity as the horn sounded.
The unexpected finish saw Duke’s Sion James collapse in anguish on the court, only realizing moments later he needed to stand as Houston’s bench rushed towards him in celebration. J’Wan Roberts, a key player in Houston’s lineup, exulted in the victory, roaring triumphantly towards Cougar fans while pulling at his jersey.
As Houston basked in their upset victory, Flagg, the 18-year-old phenom, walked disheartened towards the exit, trailed by teammates equally stunned and devastated. Khaman Maluach, another freshman, was visibly emotional, tears streaming down his face as they exited.
Adding salt to the wound, the path to Duke’s escape led them through a jubilant Houston fan base, who waved them off while capturing the moment with their phones. The scene was a daunting reminder of the unexpected turn of events.
Ranked highly for both offensive and defensive efficiency, it was surprising to find Duke in this predicament. Their breakdown did not happen in isolation but as a series of small errors layered together by Houston’s tenacious resistance.
A telling moment arose when Tyrese Proctor missed a critical one-and-one free throw, followed by a foul on Roberts by Flagg in a crucial exchange. Roberts, though a 62.5% free-throw shooter, converted both attempts, securing a narrow lead with under 20 seconds remaining.
Flagg had the ball in his hands for a potential game-winning play but missed a contested fadeaway shot. The subsequent possession led to Cryer’s free throws, capping a personal best of 26 points, and sealing Duke’s fate.
James recounted the trust placed in Flagg’s hands, asserting, “I would trust Cooper a hundred times over.” Yet, the game underscored missed opportunities and imprecise moments, including a poorly handled defensive switch that granted Houston a crucial three-pointer.
Momentum had slowly shifted earlier with Houston scoring 10 unanswered points in a critical run, emphasizing the Blue Devils’ defensive lapses, particularly in the second half where Houston scored 42 points, impacting Duke’s offensive rhythm.
Coach Scheyer reflected on the tactical moves he could have employed. “As a coach, I’m analyzing what different measures I could have taken to aid our players,” he admitted, sharing the weight of the loss.
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