Fifth-Seeded Houston Boots No. 1 Arizona, 72-60, For Early Exit – OutKick
Arizona Wildcats had lots to construct off their common season. Ultimately, a prime seeding couldn’t hold the Wildcats from exiting the event early — shedding to fifth-seeded Houston, 72-60, within the Candy Sixteen matchup Thursday night time. Houston channeled the glory days of Drexler and Olajuwon to return out with superior vitality to the Wildcats,…
Arizona Wildcats had lots to construct off their common season.
Ultimately, a prime seeding couldn’t hold the Wildcats from exiting the event early — shedding to fifth-seeded Houston, 72-60, within the Candy Sixteen matchup Thursday night time.
Houston channeled the glory days of Drexler and Olajuwon to return out with superior vitality to the Wildcats, although Arizona had their probability to win the sport.
Arizona was unable to muster the offense when photographs weren’t falling for Houston. A near-six-minute scoring drought within the second half showcased the Wildcats’ carelessness with an offensive sport plan and propensity for turnovers.
Guard Jamal Shead was the star of the night time for Houston: scoring 21 factors. Shead recorded 4 rebounds and 6 assists.
The Cougars protection was additionally deserving of the highlight. Houston’s protection held Arizona ahead Azuolas Tubelis to 0-of-8 capturing, ending the night time with three factors and 4 turnovers.
Wildcats ahead Bennedict Mathurin added 15 factors however shot 5-of-13 from the sphere and 5-of-8 from the free-throw line.
Houston performed composed, even of their slower stretches. As soon as a visit to the Elite Eight set in, the Cougars leaned on its electrical tandem of Kyler Edwards and Jamal Shead, with nice outcomes.
The Wildcats fought a close to double-digit deficit all through the second half. Edwards stepped up and hit a dagger three to interrupt Arizona’s momentum with two minutes to go. It was his fourth make from past the arc — yanking the lead out of the highest seed’s attain.
“We simply stored the course. We all know they’re gonna hit large photographs and hit large runs, so we simply stayed collectively and stored enjoying,” stated Kyler Edwards within the postgame interview. Edwards completed with 19 factors.
Shead, the sophomore guard, was requested concerning the crew’s secret recipe behind their big-time efficiency.
“Confidence. My teammates all put confidence in me,” Shead responded. “A lot love going round, I wanna win for them. We don’t wanna go dwelling but.”
Maintaining Houston collectively for the upset win was head coach Kelvin Sampson.
Sampson’s stellar run on this yr’s tourney units up the eight-year Cougar as among the best coaches nonetheless dancing.
Houston will face two-seeded Villanova on Saturday.
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