March Madness 2022: Jamal Shead scores 21 points, Houston knocks out 1-seed Arizona

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Houston coach Kelvin Sampson gritted his teeth and raised his arms before emphatically pounding his right fist into his left hand 11 times while celebrating with ecstatic Cougars fans who were not too far from home.

Another No. 1 seed is out, and Houston is one win way from playing in its second straight Final Four after leading throughout in a 72-60 victory over Arizona in an NCAA South Regional semifinal game Thursday night.

"I knew we were going to make them uncomfortable, that’s what we do," Sampson said. "Our team, we’re a tough bunch. ... They’re not afraid of anybody."

Jamal Shead, a 19-year-old second-year guard, scored a career-high 21 points and experienced guard Kyler Edwards had 19 points with five 3-pointers. They both played 38 minutes after Taze Moore got in early foul trouble.

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Houston guard Jamal Shead celebrates after scoring as Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd looks on during the second half of a college basketball game in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

"We always feel like we’re the toughest team out there and we play like that .... we can’t be scared of anybody," Shead said. "The energy was just electric. It was awesome to have that type of crowd here."

Consecutive layups by Dalen Terry got Arizona within 64-58 with just over two minutes left. But Edwards, the transfer from Texas Tech who played in the 2019 national championship game for the Red Raiders, settled things for Houston with a 3 from the right wing.

The No. 5 seed Cougars (32-5) play second-seeded Villanova in the South Region