Houston Stuns Duke in Final Four Thriller Behind Controversial Call and Gritty Comeback SAN ANTONIO — In a collapse that will haunt Duke basketball for years, the top-seeded Blue Devils squandered a 14-point second-half lead against Houston in the Final Four, falling 70-67 in a game decided by a controversial foul call, missed free throws, and a jaw-dropping 9-0 Cougars run in the final 35 seconds.

The Collapse Duke appeared destined for Monday’s national championship game after Tyrese Proctor’s free throw extended their lead to 14 with 8:17 remaining. But Houston’s relentless defense, ranked among the nation’s elite, flipped the script. The Cougars clamped down on projected No. 1 NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg (27 points, 7 rebounds) and capitalized on Duke’s late-game miscues, including a critical missed one-and-one free throw by Proctor with 19.6 seconds left and the Blue Devils clinging to a 67-66 lead.

The Controversy The decisive moment came when Houston’s J’Wan Roberts rebounded Proctor’s missed free throw and drew a foul on Flagg during the scramble. Analysts Bill Raftery and Grant Hill lambasted the call, with Raftery calling it a “play on” situation, arguing Flagg was legally boxing out. Roberts, a 62.5% free-throw shooter, calmly sank both attempts to give Houston a 68-67 edge.

The Closing Sequence Duke’s final possession saw Flagg miss a contested fadeaway over Roberts, and LJ Cryer iced the game with two free throws after a quick foul. The Blue Devils’ last gasp—a Proctor heave from near half-court—clanked off the rim, sealing their stunning exit.

Houston’s Heroics Cryer spearheaded the comeback with 26 points and six three-pointers, while Roberts’ 12 rebounds and clutch free throws embodied Houston’s toughness. The Cougars, who trailed for over 30 minutes, advance to face Florida in their third national title game appearance, seeking their first championship.

Reactions and Implications The loss reignited debates about officiating’s role in high-stakes games, particularly after a tournament marked by frequent video reviews. For Houston, the victory validated their defensive identity and resilience. “We stayed true to who we are,” coach Kelvin Sampson said postgame, according to ESPN’s recap. Duke, meanwhile, faces questions about closing games after Flagg’s brilliance couldn’t offset late execution errors.

What’s Next Houston will battle Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr.—who dropped 34 points in the Gators’ semifinal win—in Monday’s championship. The Cougars aim to complete a journey that began with last year’s Sweet 16 heartbreak against Duke, when Jamal Shead’s injury derailed their run.

Key Stat: Houston held Duke scoreless over the final 2:10, outscoring the Blue Devils 17-3 in the last 8 minutes.