Florida Grabs Third NCAA Basketball Championship With 65-63 Win Over Houston

Summary:

• The Florida Gators took home their third NCAA basketball championship title on Monday.
• The Gators scored a 65-63 win against the Houston Cougars, who seized the halftime lead.
• Walter Clayon Jr.’s performance (11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 five assists) brought Florida’s victory.

For more than half an hour in Monday night’s NCAA championship clash, Houston kicked Florida completely out of rhythm by showing off their tenacious defense.

The Gators, typically a high-octane offensive machine, found themselves dragged into a slow, grind-it-out contest that favored the Cougars’ style.

However, when it mattered most, Florida didn’t back down.

Down 42-30 early in the second half, things didn’t look good for the Gators. Houston appeared poised to pull away and finally capture that elusive first national title under head coach Kelvin Sampson.

Florida managed to dig in, chipping away possession by possession, eventually mounting a comeback for the ages to escape with a 65-63 victory and the program’s third national championship.

The turning point came late. With just 46.5 seconds left, Alijah Martin calmly knocked down two free throws to give Florida its first lead of the second half after drawing a foul on a drive. The Gators never looked back.

Houston faltered on its next possession, turning the ball over, and Florida tacked on a Denzel Aberdeen free throw to make it 65-63. The Cougars still had a chance to tie or win, but Florida’s defense had other plans.

On the final possession of the game, Houston attempted to free Milos Uzan for a look from the wing, but he was immediately swallowed up by two Florida defenders.

He dumped the ball back to LJ Cryer, who quickly passed to Emanuel Sharp at the top of the key.

Sharp found himself smothered by Walter Clayton Jr., and when he tried to rise for a three, Clayton was right there.

The ball fell to the court. Sharp hesitated, knowing a travel would be called if he picked it back up. The clock ran out, and Florida erupted.

Defense was the theme of the night. Florida’s own scoring machine, Walter Clayton Jr., was held scoreless in the first half and didn’t notch his first point until nearly five minutes into the second.

When he woke up, he made it count, scoring 11 points, grabbing seven boards, and dishing five assists, plus playing lockdown defense on the final play.

Florida, a US sports team known for lighting up scoreboards, had to win ugly, and they did. Houston made them play a different game. Florida just played it better.