The Florida Gators pulled off a thrilling comeback to defeat the Houston Cougars 65-63 in the NCAA men’s basketball final on Monday night in San Antonio, Texas. Overcoming an early 12-point deficit, the Gators secured their third national championship in dramatic fashion.
Houston surged ahead in the first half, fueled by L.J. Cryer’s game-high 19 points. The Cougars’ tight defense stifled Florida’s star shooter Walter Clayton, keeping him scoreless before halftime.
However, the Gators regrouped in the second half. Will Richard stepped up with a team-high 18 points, sparking Florida’s rally. Clayton found his rhythm when it mattered most, adding 11 crucial points down the stretch and earning the title of the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
With two and a half minutes remaining, Cryer’s putback gave Houston a 62-60 lead. The final moments turned into a free-throw showdown. Richard sank two to tie the game, and after Joseph Tugler’s free throw nudged Houston ahead, Alijah Martin’s two successful shots put Florida back on top. Denzel Aberdeen sealed the victory with a final free throw with 19 seconds left.
The championship marks Florida’s first title since their consecutive wins in 2006 and 2007. At 39, head coach Todd Golden becomes the youngest to claim the NCAA trophy since Jim Valvano led North Carolina State University to a historic upset in 1983 at age 37.
