Houston coach consoles emotional Gonzaga player after loss

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson shared a touching moment after his team’s March Madness win over Gonzaga on Saturday night. After the Cougars defeated the Bulldogs, Sampson comforted Gonzaga star Khalif Battle, who was visibly upset. Battle, with tears in his eyes, had just finished a tough game, recording 17 points and six rebounds. Gonzaga made a late push, coming back from a nine-point deficit with just two minutes left, but fell short, losing 81-76. This loss marked the end of Battle’s college career, which included playing for Butler, Temple, Arkansas, and finally Gonzaga this season. After the game, Sampson praised Gonzaga coach Mark Few. He emphasized the impressive legacy Few has built in college basketball. Sampson stated, "They’ve been such a shining light for basketball programs and basketball coaches for a long, long time." He called Few a Hall of Famer and a great role model in the sport. Sampson highlighted how much respect he has for Gonzaga, noting they have always looked up to the program. He added that beating such a respected team adds significance to their victory.