Houston Outshines Gonzaga in NCAA Tournament’s Second Round

WICHITA, Kan. — The Houston Cougars defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs 58-46 in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Saturday night at Intrust Bank Arena.

Houston, the first seed in the Midwest Region, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen thanks to a dominant performance led by L.J. Cryer, who scored 16 points and grabbed two rebounds. The Cougars build an early lead and held off a late charge from the eighth-seeded Bulldogs.

Mark Few, Gonzaga’s head coach, emphasized the need for his team to remain composed amidst Houston’s relentless defensive pressure. “We knew it would be tough but we didn’t settle down enough early on,” Few said after the game. “We had stretches where we played well but it wasn’t consistent.”

In the first half, Houston jumped out to a quick lead, 17-8, with Cryer hitting multiple three-pointers. Gonzaga struggled offensively at the start, missing their first seven three-point attempts. However, they found their rhythm late in the half, culminating in a 10-2 run that narrowed Houston’s lead to just six points before halftime.

Gonzaga’s Graham Ike stepped up offensively, scoring 10 points in crucial moments to keep his team competitive. “I just wanted to make sure I was doing my part out there,” Ike stated. “We fought hard but it just wasn’t enough.”

The second half saw Houston pulling away once again, extending their lead to as much as 14 points. J'Wan Roberts contributed significantly, scoring eight points early in the second half. The Cougars capitalized on their strong rebounding advantage, out-rebounding Gonzaga 28 to 20 throughout the game.

Despite the loss, Gonzaga displayed resilience. They managed to cut the lead to 50-41 with 13:54 remaining in the game. However, Houston’s defense tightened and the Bulldogs could not maintain their momentum.

The Cougars finished the game with an impressive field goal percentage of 47.5%, compared to Gonzaga’s 44.0%. Houston also excelled from beyond the arc, hitting 54.5% of their three-point attempts.

The victory marks Houston’s fifth consecutive trip to the Sweet Sixteen, maintaining their status as a powerhouse in college basketball. “We take every game seriously and know this is just the beginning for us,” Cryer added.

Next, Houston will face either the 4 seed Purdue or the 12 seed McNeese in their next matchup as they continue their quest for a national title.