Duke University Men’s Basketball On Friday night, they defeated a healthy Houston 54-51 in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament to return to the Elite Eight.
Houston’s top-class defense kept Duke at bay in the first half, but cougars With just over six minutes remaining, All-American guard Jamal Shihed suffered a major blow when he went down with an apparent leg injury while driving to the basket.
Houston Cougars No. 1 Jamal Shihed falls to the ground during the first half of the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Duke Blue Devils at American Airlines Center on March 29, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. . (Carmen Mandert/Getty Images)
After sitting on the ground in visibly pain, Shihed was helped to his feet and eventually returned to the locker room.
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According to reports, X-ray results were negative and he was diagnosed with a severe right ankle sprain. He would remain on the sideline for the remainder of the game.
But even without Shihead, Duke managed to pull away in the second half.
Kyle Filipowski led the way with 16 points and nine rebounds, but Jeremy Roach kept the momentum going with 14 points in the second half.
Duke Blue Devils No. 30 Kyle Philippou takes a shot during the second half of the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Houston Cougars on March 29, 2024 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Skiing. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
“I’m really proud of them and really proud of tonight’s game – it was a great time.” college basketball after the game,” Duke head coach John Scheyer said.
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Scheier continued to praise Houston’s tenacity despite the loss of Shehead, and made a point to silence criticism of Duke’s own toughness after the game. lost to Tennessee In the second round last year.
“Look, we had four freshmen last year,” he began. To me about being tough. ”
Jeremy Roach #3 of the Duke Blue Devils drives the baseline during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 29, 2024 in Dallas, Texas do. (Andy Hancock/NCAA Photo/NCAA Photo via Getty Images)
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Duke will now face Atlantic Coast Conference rival North Carolina State for a spot in the Final Four.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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