DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 29: Kyle Filipowski #30 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts following a three-point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 29, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)Lance King/Getty Images

Duke is heading to the Elite Eight after dropping top-seeded Houston in the Sweet 16 Friday night 54-51.

The No. 4 Blue Devils used a big game from forward Kyle Filipowski, who had 16 points and nine rebounds, to advance past the No. 1 Cougars. Jeremy Roach also put up a respectable 14 points for Duke and had a clutch basket to give the Blue Devils a cushion in the final minutes.

Houston took a big loss early in the game, losing star guard Jamal Shead in the first half after he suffered a "badly sprained ankle. Shead, a senior, has been a leader for the Cougars all season, scoring 21 points in Houston's overtime win over Texas A&M in the Round of 32.

With Shead out of the game, Houston still put forth a strong effort. Ultimately, the Cougars didn't have enough to outlast Duke with their star out of the contest.

NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBB

FILIPOWSKI AND-1 😤<a href="">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="">@DukeMBB</a> <a href="">

Blue Devils @BlueDevils

KYLE FILIPOWSKI <a href="">

Zion O. @DukeNBA

JANUARY <br>FEBRUARY <br>JEREMY ROACH <a href="">

Duke Men's Basketball @DukeMBB

BIG DANCE JERM 🥶

Zion O. @DukeNBA

We needed him and he delivered this half. That's a true captain. <a href="">

Duke Opinions @DukeOpinions

CLUTCH TIME IS JERM TIME <a href="">

Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie

Filipowski might be the guy in this draft class that I think is just being really underrated. He's so versatile. He's tough. He's better defensively than you think. Can play well in skill games or in physical games like this one against Houston. Really good basketball player.

Zion O. @DukeNBA

Flip has been special through 32 minutes. Tough.

Duke Digest @DukeDigest

MR MARCH JEREMY ROACH

Jeff Borzello @jeffborzello

Big-time performances from Jeremy Roach and Kyle Filipowski. Roach with 14 points in the second half, Filipowski with 16 and 9 — including a couple of big 3s. Horribly unfortunate for Houston's season to end after yet another injury, this time to All-American guard Jamal Shead.

John Fanta @John_Fanta

Jon Scheyer has said Kyle Filipowski is a winner whose stats don't even always sum up how good he is. Tonight, the Duke sophomore has been spectacular.

TheDevilsDen.com @TheDevilsDen

Duke is heading to the Elite 8 after knocking off top seed Houston.<br><br>Jeremy Roach and Kyle Filipowski send the Blue Devils to Sunday.

Now Duke will get a date with ACC rival No. 11 NC State, which has had a magical run through the ACC and NCAA tournament to reach the Elite Eight. The Wolfpack upset No. 2 Marquette in the Sweet 16 to advance, and they'll be looking for another upset on Sunday.