Houston’s late mistakes opened the door for Florida to claim its third national championship. With the Gators’ chances of winning seemingly slipping away, Houston’s missteps allowed Florida to capitalize on a late rally, securing a thrilling 65-63 victory.
Despite not having their usual standout performance from star Walter Clayton Jr., Florida fought back from a 12-point deficit. Will Richard stepped up, contributing 18 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Clayton, who had been dominant in previous rounds with 30-point performances, was limited to 11 points, mostly in the second half. He also added seven assists and five rebounds, while Alex Condon scored 12 points and registered four steals.
The Cougars, aiming for a Big 12 Conference title, had been in control for most of the game, with L.J. Cryer scoring 19 points, but no other player reached double digits. Down by one with just 19 seconds remaining, Houston couldn’t get a shot off, ending their season just short of the championship.
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