Houston stunned Duke with a 9-0 run in the final minutes to end Duke’s season and likely Cooper Flagg’s college career with a 70-67 victory Saturday night in the Final Four.
The Cougars advance to face fellow top-seed Florida in Monday night’s national title game.
Houston took the lead with 20 seconds remaining after Duke’s Tyrese Proctor missed a free throw and J’Wan Roberts drew a foul on the rebound, hitting both free shots to go up 68-67. With 17.2 seconds remaining, Flagg got off a good look after a timeout near the free-throw line, but it was short. Houston rebounded and went to the line with 3.7 seconds remaining. L.J. Cryer hit two free throws to seal the win.
Houston has never won a national title despite six previous Final Four appearances.
The Blue Devils led by as many as 14 points before Houston ended the game on a 25-8 run. Flagg led all scorers with 27 points. Cryer had 26 for the Cougars.
This story will be updated.
(Photo of Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Houston’s Ja’Vier Francis: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)