In a thrilling showdown in Memphis, the Houston Cougars overcame a dramatic comeback by Texas A&M to secure a hard-fought 100-95 victory in overtime during the second round of the NCAA Tournament’s South Region.
Emanuel Sharp led the charge for the top-seeded Cougars with a game-high 30 points, while Jamal Shead contributed 21 points and 10 assists. Despite facing crippling foul trouble, Houston managed to outscore the ninth-seeded Aggies 14-9 in the extra session.
J’Wan Roberts was the lone Houston starter to avoid fouling out, showcasing a resilient effort from the Cougars. LJ Cryer and Roberts provided crucial support with 20 and 13 points respectively, contributing to Houston’s victory.
On the other side, Tyrece Radford led the charge for the Aggies with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists, while Wade Taylor IV added 21 points. Despite their efforts, Texas A&M couldn’t derail Houston’s momentum.
In other NCAA Tournament action:
No. 2 Marquette secured an 81-77 victory over No. 10 Colorado, with Tyler Kolek leading the Golden Eagles with 21 points and 11 assists. Marquette will face No. 11 North Carolina State in the Sweet 16.
No. 4 Duke dominated No. 12 James Madison with a commanding 93-55 win, propelled by Jared McCain’s record-setting eight 3-pointers. Duke advances to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2022.
No. 1 Purdue delivered a dominant performance against No. 8 Utah State, securing a resounding 106-67 victory. Zach Edey led the Boilermakers with 23 points and 14 rebounds.
No. 6 Clemson held off a late charge from No. 3 Baylor to clinch a 72-64 victory, with Chase Hunter leading the Tigers with 20 points and six assists.
No. 4 Alabama defeated No. 12 Grand Canyon 72-61, propelled by Mark Sears’ stellar performance with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.
In the East Region:
No. 1 UConn cruised to a 75-58 victory over No. 9 Northwestern, led by Donovan Clingan’s dominant performance with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and eight blocks.
No. 5 San Diego State secured an 85-57 win over No. 13 Yale, with Jaedon LeDee leading the Aztecs with 26 points and nine rebounds.
The NCAA Tournament continues with thrilling matchups as teams vie for a coveted spot in the Sweet 16.
