Houston moves into Sweet 16 for first time in 35 years
AP
Mar 25, 2019
TULSA, Okla. (AP) Houston Cougars's fans chanted ''Sweet 16'' in the final minute of the Cougars' NCAA Tournament win over Ohio State Buckeyes.
The celebration was long overdue - it's been 35 years since the Cougars have made this trip.
''I saw a lot of proud Cougars up there behind us tonight,'' Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said, ''and the ones I was happiest for were the guys that's been supporting this program since those days.''
Corey Davis scored 21 points to help Houston beat the Buckeyes 74-59 in a second-round Midwest Region game Sunday night. It marked the Cougars' 33rd win of the season - breaking the school's season record set by the 1983-84 team. That was the last Houston squad to reach the Sweet 16.
The win was especially significant for Robinson, a senior who has played in a school-record 135 games. He watched teams celebrate reaching the Sweet 16 on social media Saturday night and wanted his own moment. He scored 13 points to help make it happen.
''When I went to bed last night, all I was thinking about was winning just so we can do that, so I can see how it feels,'' he said. ''It was exactly - to be going to the Sweet 16, it feels amazing.''
Houston (33-3) advanced to face Kentucky.
C.J. Jackson scored 18 points, and Kaleb Wesson added 15 for Ohio State (20-15).
Ohio State started off hot from 3-point range, hitting seven of its first 12. But Houston burned the Buckeyes in transition to go on a 14-6 run and close the half with a 39-31 lead.
There was a brief skirmish right after the end of the first half. Ohio State's Keyshawn Woods and Houston's DeJon Jarreau were issued technical fouls after the teams jawed at midcourt. Houston's Fabian White was held back by teammates and coaches.
A dunk by Chris Harris put the Cougars up 52-44 with just over 10 minutes remaining. A floater in the lane by Armoni Brooks pushed Houston's lead to nine and led to a timeout by Ohio State. A transition layup by Davis pushed the advantage to 11, and the Cougars maintained control for good.
The Buckeyes finished 8-12 in Big Ten play and were seeded eighth in the conference tournament, so getting this far was an accomplishment.
''I told them in the locker room, I don't know if I've ever been a part of a team where we've faced as many challenges and had come through on the other end in such a positive way,'' Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said. ''It just really speaks to the quality of our players and the quality of people that they are.''
BIG PICTURE
Ohio State: The Buckeyes lost four of five heading into the NCAA Tournament before upsetting Iowa State in the first round. The future looks bright - Brothers Kaleb and Andre Wesson will be back next year to provide a solid foundation.
Houston: The Cougars continue to rebuild a program that had a 13-19 record in 2014-15. Houston hurt the Buckeyes inside and outside, overwhelmed the Buckeyes with depth and speed and pounced when Ohio State's 3-point shooting came back down to Earth.
STAT LINES
Ohio State made 8 of 17 3-pointers in the first half, but just 2 of 12 in the second half. Houston, the nation's leader in field-goal percentage defense heading into the weekend, held the Buckeyes to 32 percent shooting in the second half.
CROWDING WESSON
Kaleb Wesson scored 15 points, but the 6-foot-9, 270-pound forward struggled against Houston's Brison Gresham. Wesson only had seven field-goal attempts, and six of those were 3-pointers.
''That means we won that battle,'' Sampson said. ''If we got him taking 3s, that's a good thing for us.''
Wesson had five turnovers, mostly after getting double-teamed. He made 7 of 10 free throws, but he didn't leave the imprint he left on the Iowa State game in the first round.
HE SAID IT
Sampson, on the halftime altercation: ''Just being competitive. Ohio State's kids are classy, great kids great coaching staff. Our kids are classy. Just nothing.''
UP NEXT
Houston will play Kentucky in the Sweet 16.
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1st Half
OSU
Buckeyes
31
HOU
Cougars
39
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Houston
19:34
Breaon Brady missed hook shot
19:32
Defensive rebound by Andre Wesson
19:21
Lost ball turnover on Musa Jallow, stolen by Armoni Brooks
19:11
+2
Armoni Brooks made layup
0-2
19:00
Lost ball turnover on Kaleb Wesson, stolen by Corey Davis Jr.
18:42
Galen Robinson Jr. missed layup
18:40
Offensive rebound by Fabian White Jr.
18:34
Corey Davis Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:32
Defensive rebound by Keyshawn Woods
18:18
Personal foul on Fabian White Jr.
18:01
Lost ball turnover on Kaleb Wesson, stolen by Galen Robinson Jr.
17:53
+2
Galen Robinson Jr. made layup
0-4
17:37
+3
Keyshawn Woods made 3-pt. jump shot
3-4
17:10
Breaon Brady missed hook shot
17:08
Defensive rebound by Musa Jallow
16:51
Personal foul on Breaon Brady
16:51
Bad pass turnover on Musa Jallow, stolen by Fabian White Jr.
16:51
+3
Armoni Brooks made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Corey Davis Jr.
3-7
16:16
C.J. Jackson missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:14
Offensive rebound by Musa Jallow
16:10
+2
Musa Jallow made dunk
5-7
15:57
Fabian White Jr. missed jump shot
15:55
Offensive rebound by Breaon Brady
15:47
Corey Davis Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:45
Defensive rebound by Musa Jallow
15:41
Musa Jallow missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:39
Defensive rebound by Galen Robinson Jr.
15:36
+2
Galen Robinson Jr. made driving layup
5-9
15:22
+3
Kaleb Wesson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Andre Wesson
8-9
14:55
Armoni Brooks missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:53
Defensive rebound by Keyshawn Woods
14:47
+3
Kaleb Wesson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Keyshawn Woods
11-9
14:31
+3
Corey Davis Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot
11-12
14:11
Lost ball turnover on Kaleb Wesson, stolen by Galen Robinson Jr.
14:10
Personal foul on Keyshawn Woods
13:53
Armoni Brooks missed jump shot
13:51
Offensive rebound by Breaon Brady
13:50
Personal foul on Kaleb Wesson
13:32
+3
Corey Davis Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Galen Robinson Jr.
11-15
13:06
Andre Wesson missed jump shot
13:04
Defensive rebound by Cedrick Alley Jr.
12:52
+2
Corey Davis Jr. made driving layup
11-17
12:25
+3
C.J. Jackson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Andre Wesson
14-17
12:05
Breaon Brady missed hook shot
12:03
Defensive rebound by Ohio State
11:43
Luther Muhammad missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:41
Offensive rebound by Kyle Young
11:35
+2
C.J. Jackson made jump shot
16-17
11:16
+2
Breaon Brady made layup
16-19
10:57
+2
Keyshawn Woods made jump shot
18-19
10:37
Cedrick Alley Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:35
Defensive rebound by Luther Muhammad
10:27
+3
Andre Wesson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Luther Muhammad
21-19
10:15
+2
Fabian White Jr. made jump shot, assist by Dejon Jarreau
21-21
9:55
+3
Musa Jallow made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Keyshawn Woods
24-21
9:39
Bad pass turnover on Dejon Jarreau, stolen by Duane Washington Jr.
9:23
Kaleb Wesson missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:21
Defensive rebound by Armoni Brooks
9:12
+2
Brison Gresham made alley-oop shot, assist by Dejon Jarreau
24-23
8:47
Duane Washington Jr. missed layup
8:45
Defensive rebound by Dejon Jarreau
8:39
Armoni Brooks missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:37
Defensive rebound by Duane Washington Jr.
8:17
Shooting foul on Dejon Jarreau
8:17
+1
Musa Jallow made 1st of 2 free throws
25-23
8:17
Musa Jallow missed 2nd of 2 free throws
8:17
Defensive rebound by Brison Gresham
7:50
+2
Dejon Jarreau made finger-roll layup
25-25
7:25
Traveling violation turnover on Andre Wesson
7:06
Dejon Jarreau missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:04
Defensive rebound by Kaleb Wesson
6:46
Personal foul on Brison Gresham
6:30
Jumpball received by Ohio State
6:28
Kaleb Wesson missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:26
Defensive rebound by Brison Gresham
6:03
+2
Fabian White Jr. made hook shot
25-27
5:44
Offensive foul on Kaleb Wesson
5:44
Turnover on Kaleb Wesson
5:27
+3
Corey Davis Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot
25-30
5:12
Bad pass turnover on Musa Jallow, stolen by Galen Robinson Jr.
5:01
Shooting foul on Musa Jallow
5:01
Nate Hinton missed 1st of 2 free throws
5:01
+1
Nate Hinton made 2nd of 2 free throws
25-31
4:40
+3
C.J. Jackson made 3-pt. jump shot
28-31
4:16
+2
Galen Robinson Jr. made driving layup
28-33
4:04
C.J. Jackson missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:02
Defensive rebound by Nate Hinton
3:43
+2
Fabian White Jr. made jump shot, assist by Corey Davis Jr.
28-35
3:22
C.J. Jackson missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:20
Defensive rebound by Galen Robinson Jr.
3:13
+2
Galen Robinson Jr. made jump shot
28-37
2:52
Personal foul on Galen Robinson Jr.
2:33
Keyshawn Woods missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:31
Offensive rebound by C.J. Jackson
2:19
Luther Muhammad missed jump shot
2:17
Defensive rebound by Fabian White Jr.
2:15
Personal foul on Andre Wesson
1:49
Lost ball turnover on Corey Davis Jr., stolen by Andre Wesson
1:37
+3
C.J. Jackson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Keyshawn Woods
31-37
1:15
Shooting foul on Andre Wesson
1:15
+1
Fabian White Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
31-38
1:15
+1
Fabian White Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
31-39
57.0
Keyshawn Woods missed 3-pt. jump shot
55.0
Defensive rebound by Nate Hinton
34.0
Nate Hinton missed 3-pt. jump shot
32.0
Offensive rebound by Breaon Brady
32.0
Personal foul on C.J. Jackson
32.0
Breaon Brady missed free throw
32.0
Defensive rebound by Luther Muhammad
7.0
Personal foul on Galen Robinson Jr.
3.0
Keyshawn Woods missed floating jump shot
1.0
Defensive rebound by Armoni Brooks
0.0
Unsportsmanlike technical foul on Keyshawn Woods
0.0
Unsportsmanlike technical foul on Dejon Jarreau
2nd Half
OSU
Buckeyes
28
HOU
Cougars
35
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:49
Jumpball received by Ohio State
19:49
Lost ball turnover on Fabian White Jr., stolen by Andre Wesson
19:37
Lost ball turnover on Andre Wesson, stolen by Fabian White Jr.
19:34
Corey Davis Jr. missed jump shot
19:32
Defensive rebound by Kaleb Wesson
19:12
Bad pass turnover on C.J. Jackson, stolen by Galen Robinson Jr.
18:59
Armoni Brooks missed jump shot
18:57
Defensive rebound by Kaleb Wesson
18:41
Personal foul on Breaon Brady
18:32
Keyshawn Woods missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:30
Defensive rebound by Armoni Brooks
18:07
Fabian White Jr. missed jump shot
18:05
Defensive rebound by Andre Wesson
17:44
Personal foul on Breaon Brady
17:40
+2
C.J. Jackson made layup, assist by Keyshawn Woods
33-39
17:23
Galen Robinson Jr. missed jump shot
17:20
Offensive rebound by Houston
17:13
Corey Davis Jr. missed jump shot
17:11
Offensive rebound by Fabian White Jr.
16:55
Armoni Brooks missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:53
Defensive rebound by Musa Jallow
16:50
Bad pass turnover on Musa Jallow, stolen by Corey Davis Jr.
16:38
Corey Davis Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:36
Defensive rebound by Musa Jallow
16:26
+2
Keyshawn Woods made dunk, assist by C.J. Jackson
35-39
16:19
+2
Brison Gresham made alley-oop shot, assist by Galen Robinson Jr.
35-41
16:05
C.J. Jackson missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:03
Defensive rebound by Fabian White Jr.
15:55
Shooting foul on Musa Jallow
15:55
+1
Brison Gresham made 1st of 2 free throws
35-42
15:55
Brison Gresham missed 2nd of 2 free throws
15:55
Defensive rebound by Luther Muhammad
15:54
Personal foul on Brison Gresham
15:38
C.J. Jackson missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:36
Defensive rebound by Corey Davis Jr.
15:16
+2
Galen Robinson Jr. made floating jump shot
35-44
14:52
Shooting foul on Fabian White Jr.
14:52
Kaleb Wesson missed 1st of 2 free throws
14:52
+1
Kaleb Wesson made 2nd of 2 free throws
36-44
14:52
+1
Kaleb Wesson made 2nd of 2 free throws
36-44
14:39
Personal foul on Luther Muhammad
14:31
Lost ball turnover on Brison Gresham, stolen by Kaleb Wesson
14:15
Keyshawn Woods missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:13
Defensive rebound by Armoni Brooks
14:05
Fabian White Jr. missed jump shot
14:03
Defensive rebound by Ohio State
13:49
Personal foul on Brison Gresham
13:41
+3
Luther Muhammad made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by C.J. Jackson
39-44
13:21
Corey Davis Jr. missed driving layup
13:19
Offensive rebound by Houston
13:17
+3
Armoni Brooks made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Galen Robinson Jr.
39-47
12:57
Luther Muhammad missed jump shot, blocked by Chris Harris Jr.
12:55
Defensive rebound by Corey Davis Jr.
12:41
+2
Corey Davis Jr. made floating jump shot, assist by Galen Robinson Jr.
39-49
12:18
+2
C.J. Jackson made layup, assist by Kaleb Wesson
41-49
12:04
Corey Davis Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:02
Defensive rebound by Kaleb Wesson
11:45
+3
C.J. Jackson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Kaleb Wesson
44-49
11:19
Shooting foul on Luther Muhammad
11:19
Fabian White Jr. missed 1st of 2 free throws
11:19
+1
Fabian White Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
44-50
11:19
+1
Fabian White Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
44-50
10:49
Keyshawn Woods missed layup
10:47
Defensive rebound by Dejon Jarreau
10:47
Personal foul on Kaleb Wesson
10:32
+2
Chris Harris Jr. made dunk, assist by Nate Hinton
44-52
10:06
Personal foul on Galen Robinson Jr.
10:06
Kaleb Wesson missed free throw
10:06
Defensive rebound by Chris Harris Jr.
9:58
Dejon Jarreau missed layup
9:56
Defensive rebound by Duane Washington Jr.
9:50
Personal foul on Dejon Jarreau
9:50
+1
Duane Washington Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
45-52
9:50
+1
Duane Washington Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
46-52
9:31
Corey Davis Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:29
Defensive rebound by Andre Wesson
9:25
Personal foul on Dejon Jarreau
9:25
+1
Keyshawn Woods made 1st of 2 free throws
47-52
9:25
Keyshawn Woods missed 2nd of 2 free throws
9:25
Defensive rebound by Nate Hinton
9:07
Galen Robinson Jr. missed layup
9:05
Offensive rebound by Brison Gresham
9:03
Shooting foul on Keyshawn Woods
9:03
+1
Brison Gresham made 1st of 2 free throws
47-53
9:03
+1
Brison Gresham made 2nd of 2 free throws
47-54
8:40
Luther Muhammad missed jump shot
8:38
Defensive rebound by Armoni Brooks
8:33
+2
Armoni Brooks made driving layup
47-56
8:09
Shooting foul on Brison Gresham
8:09
+1
Kaleb Wesson made 1st of 2 free throws
48-56
8:09
+1
Kaleb Wesson made 2nd of 2 free throws
49-56
7:46
+2
Galen Robinson Jr. made driving layup
49-58
7:30
Bad pass turnover on Keyshawn Woods, stolen by Corey Davis Jr.
7:22
+2
Corey Davis Jr. made driving layup
49-60
7:07
Personal foul on Fabian White Jr.
7:07
+1
Kaleb Wesson made 1st of 2 free throws
50-60
7:07
+1
Kaleb Wesson made 2nd of 2 free throws
51-60
6:45
Armoni Brooks missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:43
Offensive rebound by Fabian White Jr.
6:37
+2
Fabian White Jr. made jump shot
51-62
6:13
C.J. Jackson missed layup
6:11
Defensive rebound by Armoni Brooks
5:40
Armoni Brooks missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:38
Offensive rebound by Chris Harris Jr.
5:32
Corey Davis Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:30
Defensive rebound by Andre Wesson
5:20
Kaleb Wesson missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:18
Defensive rebound by Galen Robinson Jr.
4:51
Fabian White Jr. missed floating jump shot
4:49
Defensive rebound by Musa Jallow
4:30
C.J. Jackson missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:28
Offensive rebound by Kaleb Wesson
4:28
Personal foul on Chris Harris Jr.
4:28
+1
Kaleb Wesson made 1st of 2 free throws
52-62
4:28
+1
Kaleb Wesson made 2nd of 2 free throws
53-62
4:11
+2
Brison Gresham made dunk, assist by Galen Robinson Jr.
53-64
3:48
Lost ball turnover on Kaleb Wesson, stolen by Galen Robinson Jr.
3:43
Bad pass turnover on Galen Robinson Jr.
3:27
+2
Kaleb Wesson made layup
55-64
3:27
Shooting foul on Brison Gresham
3:27
Kaleb Wesson missed free throw
3:27
Defensive rebound by Breaon Brady
2:58
Shooting foul on Andre Wesson
2:58
+1
Breaon Brady made 1st of 2 free throws
55-65
2:58
Breaon Brady missed 2nd of 2 free throws
2:58
Defensive rebound by Luther Muhammad
2:47
Andre Wesson missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:45
Defensive rebound by Corey Davis Jr.
2:18
Shooting foul on Luther Muhammad
2:18
Galen Robinson Jr. missed 1st of 2 free throws
2:18
+1
Galen Robinson Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
55-66
2:10
Keyshawn Woods missed layup
2:08
Defensive rebound by Corey Davis Jr.
1:51
Offensive foul on Corey Davis Jr.
1:51
Turnover on Corey Davis Jr.
1:37
+2
Andre Wesson made layup, assist by C.J. Jackson
57-66
1:22
Personal foul on Duane Washington Jr.
1:22
+1
Corey Davis Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
57-67
1:22
+1
Corey Davis Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
57-68
1:10
C.J. Jackson missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:08
Offensive rebound by Keyshawn Woods
1:05
+2
Keyshawn Woods made dunk
59-68
57.0
Personal foul on Duane Washington Jr.
57.0
+1
Corey Davis Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
59-69
57.0
+1
Corey Davis Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
59-70
51.0
Lost ball turnover on Keyshawn Woods, stolen by Galen Robinson Jr.
48.0
Personal foul on Keyshawn Woods
48.0
Fabian White Jr. missed 1st of 2 free throws
48.0
Fabian White Jr. missed 2nd of 2 free throws
48.0
Defensive rebound by Kaleb Wesson
39.0
Kaleb Wesson missed 3-pt. jump shot
37.0
Defensive rebound by Corey Davis Jr.
34.0
Personal foul on Andre Wesson
34.0
+1
Corey Davis Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
59-71
34.0
+1
Corey Davis Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
59-72
29.0
Duane Washington Jr. missed jump shot
27.0
Offensive rebound by Duane Washington Jr.
21.0
Duane Washington Jr. missed jump shot, blocked by Nate Hinton