In a dramatic NCAA men’s basketball final, the Florida Gators erased a 12-point second-half deficit to edge out the Houston Cougars 65-63, clinching their third national title on Monday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Senior Will Richard led Florida’s charge with 18 points, while Australian forward Alex Condon secured the game-winning loose ball. It marked Florida’s return to the championship spotlight for the first time since their last title in 2007.
Houston’s fierce defense initially shut down Florida’s key scorer Walter Clayton Jr., holding him scoreless in the first half. The Cougars built a 12-point lead early in the second half, spurred by back-to-back threes from guard L.J. Cryer.
But the Gators weren’t done. Florida mounted a furious comeback, tying the game with under eight minutes left. Alijah Martin nailed two clutch free throws with 46 seconds remaining to give the Gators the edge. A late turnover by Houston sealed the deal.
Clayton, who ended the game with 11 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, described the win as “a feeling I can’t even explain.”
Head coach Todd Golden, 39, became the youngest to win an NCAA men’s title since 1983, proudly noting, “We stayed the course and made the plays when we needed to.”