NCAA National Championship: Florida capped a historic run by erasing a 12-point gap to beat Houston 65–63 in San Antonio.
It was the third straight game the Gators came from behind in the second half, and the win secured the program’s third National Championship, their first since 2007.
Clayton Starts Cold, Finishes Strong
All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr. had carried Florida into the title game, scoring 64 points across the Elite Eight and Final Four. But Houston locked him down early, holding him scoreless until nearly 15 minutes into the second half.
Despite his slow start, Clayton delivered late, scoring 11 points and adding 7 assists. His second-half surge earned him Final Four Most Outstanding Player, powering a Florida comeback that stunned the Cougars and capped an epic March Madness run.
“We’ve got a team full of guys that can go,” Clayton said. “My team held me down until I was able to put the ball in the basket.”
Supporting Cast Saves the Day
While Clayton struggled early, Will Richard kept the Gators afloat. He scored 18 points and nailed four 3-pointers in the first half, allowing Florida to stay within striking distance despite a sloppy start that included 9 turnovers.
Houston Falters in Key Areas
Houston’s typically elite 3-point shooting and offensive rebounding disappeared in the first half. The Cougars shot just 2-of-14 from beyond the arc before halftime and failed to score on second-chance opportunities.
L.J. Cryer led Houston with 19 points, including three second-half triples, but it wasn’t enough. Bench contributions from Mylik Wilson and Ja’Vier Francis boosted Houston early, but Florida’s momentum and late-game execution stole the spotlight.
A Historic Run for Florida
The Gators became the first NCAA champion in 20 years to rally from at least a nine-point deficit in the Elite Eight, Final Four, and title game. At just 39, Todd Golden is the youngest head coach to win a National Championship since 1983.
The victory also marked the SEC’s first title since Kentucky’s win in 2012.
Source: Espn