MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Houston Cougars, the top seed in the South Region, escaped a major upset scare on Sunday night, edging out No. 9 seed Texas A&M 100-95 in overtime.
Houston seemed poised for a comfortable victory, but a late Texas A&M surge forced the game into extra time. Emanuel Sharp, however, took control in overtime, starting with a crucial 3-pointer that put the Cougars ahead for good.
Coach Kelvin Sampson credited the team’s experience in the Big 12 conference, known for its close contests, for preparing them for such a heart-stopping finish. This win marks Houston’s fifth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance and their 16th overall.
Relief washed over the Houston Cougars as they secured a hard-fought 100-95 overtime victory over Texas A&M on Sunday night. Coach Kelvin Sampson acknowledged the close call, stating, “We’re very fortunate tonight to win. Texas A&M could’ve won that game. But only one team can advance. I’ve learned not to autopsy wins at this time of the year. So we move on.”
The Aggies mounted a last-ditch effort in regulation, outscoring Houston 17-5 in the final two minutes. Andersson Garcia’s buzzer-beating three-pointer, his ninth of the game, sent the game into overtime.
“Obviously, it’s a shot that will go down in Texas A&M lore,” said Aggies coach Buzz Williams, acknowledging the dramatic moment. “It was to tie,” he added, “It wasn’t to win, you know?”
While acknowledging his team’s fortune, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson praised their resilience after a heart-stopping finish against Texas A&M. “We’re very fortunate tonight,” Sampson said. “The final two minutes were Murphy’s Law personified. Missed free throws, loose balls, and they hit some incredibly difficult threes.”
The Aggies nearly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a furious rally, outscoring Houston 17-5 in the final moments of regulation. Andersson Garcia’s buzzer-beating three sent the crowd into a frenzy and forced overtime.
Despite the late scare, Houston’s Emanuel Sharp stepped up in overtime. He drained a crucial three-pointer to open the extra session and finished with a game-high 30 points before fouling out. His teammates picked up the slack, outscoring Texas A&M 7-1 to secure the 100-95 victory.
This win marks Houston’s (32-4) fifth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance. Interestingly, it also continues a trend in the NCAA Tournament. For the fifth time since seeding began in 1979, all top seeds have advanced to the Sweet 16.
The Cougars made a strong debut representing the Big 12 in their first season in the conference, contributing to the Southeastern Conference’s struggles. Despite being the newcomers, they added to the SEC’s challenges in the tournament. Among the SEC’s eight teams, only Tennessee and Alabama managed to advance to the Sweet 16.
L.J. Cryer contributed significantly with 20 points, while J’Wan Roberts showed resilience despite a knee issue, managing to score 13 points.
On the other side, Wade Taylor, who had been in excellent scoring form, experienced a challenging game. Despite hitting a career-high seven 3-pointers in the Aggies’ previous win over Nebraska, he struggled in this game, missing his first seven shots and finishing with 21 points on 5-of-26 shooting, including 3 of 13 from beyond the arc.
Tyrece Radford, who had missed the December matchup against Houston, had a standout performance with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Manny Obaseki contributed 15 points before fouling out, while Garcia added 12 points to the scoreboard.
Houston managed to maintain a narrow lead of 43-38 after a fast-paced first half, setting the stage for an intense and competitive game.
BIG PICTURE
Texas A&M: The Aggies can take solace in at least securing a significant victory in the first round, especially after returning empty-handed from this tournament last year. They showcased their potential in the opening win by setting several program records, notably by making 13 3-pointers. However, their performance in this game saw them shooting 8 of 23 from beyond the arc and 29 of 45 at the free-throw line.
Houston, on the other hand, achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first team since 1987 to win a tournament game with four players fouling out. Their victory also marked their 8th win out of 10 appearances as a No. 1 seed. Additionally, this win ensured that they have now secured at least 32 wins for the fifth time in their history. Senior players like Shead, Roberts, and Elvin have the opportunity to further solidify their legacy as part of the winningest four-year class in Cougars history, currently boasting a remarkable 125-18 record. Furthermore, Coach Kelvin Sampson’s dominance against the Aggies continued, now standing at an impressive 22-1 record, including 21-1 during his tenure with the Cougars.