Florida rallied from a 12-point deficit in the second half to defeat Houston 65-63 on Monday, securing the program’s third NCAA basketball championship. The victory denied Houston, and head coach Kelvin Sampson, their first national title.
For over 30 minutes, Houston’s defense stifled Florida’s fast-paced offense, forcing the Gators into a grind-it-out game. When Houston opened up a 42-30 lead early in the second half, it seemed like Florida’s championship hopes were slipping away. But the Gators refused to back down.
The turning point came when Alijah Martin hit two free throws with 46.5 seconds remaining, giving Florida a 64-63 lead. Houston had one final chance to regain control, but a defensive stand by Florida sealed their victory.
Florida’s Late Defensive Stand
In the closing seconds, Houston had a chance to tie or take the lead. Milos Uzan attempted to break free for a shot on the right wing but was met by two Florida defenders. Uzan passed the ball to LJ Cryer, who quickly passed it to Emanuel Sharp at the top of the key. Sharp found himself trapped with no space to shoot, and with Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. defending him closely, Sharp dropped the ball as time ticked down.
As the buzzer sounded, Florida’s celebration erupted. The defensive pressure on Sharp marked the end of a tense, defense-heavy game.
Houston Dominated Early, But Florida Fought Back
Houston led 31-28 at halftime, holding Clayton, Florida’s leading scorer, scoreless in the first half. Clayton, who averaged 24.6 points per game during the tournament, didn’t register his first point until 14:57 remained in the second half. But when Florida needed him most, Clayton stepped up.
Clayton scored 11 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out five assists, earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. His clutch plays down the stretch helped Florida claw back into the game.
Florida’s Defensive Resurgence
With 14:07 left, Houston held a commanding 45-34 lead. But Florida’s defense came alive. Over the next 6:54, they held Houston to just three points, closing the gap to 48-45. Clayton’s first field goal came on an and-one layup, tying the game at 48-48.
Two possessions later, Clayton again scored through contact to tie the game. Then, with just under four minutes to go and Houston up 60-57, Clayton nailed a crucial three-pointer, putting Florida in control for the first time in the second half.
Florida’s Gritty Performance
The Gators won despite shooting just 39.6% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. Florida’s defense limited Houston to only 34.8% shooting and forced the Cougars into a rough shooting performance, especially from three-point range (6 of 25).
Houston’s top scorer, Cryer, managed 19 points but shot just 6-of-18 from the field. No other Houston player scored in double figures. For Florida, Will Richard contributed 18 points and eight rebounds, while Alex Condon added 12 points and seven rebounds.
A Game of Contrasts
Florida entered the game with the NCAA’s third-highest scoring offense, averaging 85.3 points per game. However, Monday’s game was a defensive struggle, as the Gators had to play a style much more reminiscent of their opponents. Despite the low-scoring affair, Florida’s defense and resilience carried them to victory.
In the end, Florida outplayed Houston at their own game. The Gators’ defense held firm when it mattered most, and in a battle of grit and determination, Florida emerged as champions once again.
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