How’s that for March Madness! Watch the INCREDIBLE moment No. 1 seed Houston sinks the last second buzzer beater to beat Memphis and continue the 11 game winning streak ahead of the AAC Tournament
Jamal Shead scored 16 points, including the winning basket when time ran out, as top-ranked Houston escaped a rally from Memphis in the second half for a 67-65 win on Sunday in the regular-season finale.
Memphis’ Kendric Davis drove to the basket with nine seconds left to tie the game at 65. Houston chose not to call a timeout.
Shead then maneuvered around the top of the key, created some space from defender Elijah McCadden with a step back, released the ball from about 5 yards out and watched the ball nestle through the net as the lights around the basket indicated the time was up expired.
“I knew coach (Kelvin Sampson) wouldn’t call time out because we’ve been in that situation before and he trusts me,” Shead said, adding, “God willing, I was able to get that shot .’
Jamal Shead scored 16 points along with scoring the winning basket against Memphis
Shead is hugged by teammate Marcus Sasser after the winning shot on Sunday
Sampson said there was too much time left to call a timeout after Davis tied the game, noting that it would also have allowed Memphis coach Penny Hardaway to make adjustments, better Deploy defensive players and turn on all ball screens.
“The difference is we had them in retreat,” Sampson said. “When you’re on their heels again, you’ll be a good shot.”
Tramon Mark tied Shead’s 16 points for Houston (29-2, 17-1 American Athletic Conference), while Marcus Sasser finished with 13. Shead also had seven assists.
Davis led Memphis (23-8, 13-5) with 26 points, while Chandler Lawson added 10.
A second-half run by Memphis capped by a Davis 3-pointer gave the Tigers a 56–51 lead. But they couldn’t hold it and Houston scored 10 consecutive points.
The rest of Houston’s team also ran off the bench to celebrate the highlight shot
The game between the conference’s top teams came two weeks after the Cougars defeated Memphis 72–64 on February 19.
The first half was physical. Officials allowed some hard play near the basket, but Memphis still took advantage of the free throw line. At one point, Memphis had attempted 12 free throws to only one for the Cougars.
The Tigers couldn’t keep up with Houston’s 3-point shooting and the Cougars led 41-32 at the halfway point. Memphis made four 3s before the middle of the second half to take the first lead, 48-47, with 13 minutes left.
“I had a bad game plan in the first half, and I’ll put this on my shoulders,” said Hardaway. “My boys celebrated for me. Came back into the game. Had a chance to win. In the second half, they held on to 26 points. We’ll just try to do better next time.’
