Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. delivered a stunning defensive play to secure a 65-63 victory over Houston in the NCAA men’s national title game Monday night in San Antonio. In a dramatic finish, Clayton stopped Houston’s Emanuel Sharp from attempting a game-winning shot, sealing Florida’s third national championship and first since 2007.
Despite being held scoreless in the first half, Clayton scored 11 points in the second, highlighted by his pivotal stop in the final seconds. The Gators overcame a 12-point deficit, leading for just 64 seconds in a gritty, low-scoring battle dominated by defense.
Will Richard led Florida with 18 points, while Alex Condon’s late hustle play preserved the win. Head coach Todd Golden, now the youngest to win a title since 1983, brought the trophy back to Gainesville and ended the SEC’s championship drought dating back to Kentucky in 2012.
Houston, led by L.J. Cryer’s 19 points, fell short of its first-ever title as Clayton’s pressure forced Sharp into a costly turnover. The Cougars were denied on both of their final possessions, leaving head coach Kelvin Sampson stunned.
Clayton, who averaged 24.6 points in the tournament and scored over 30 in back-to-back games, capped his collegiate career with a defensive legacy moment. Florida’s win marks its fourth comeback of the tournament and reaffirms its place among college basketball’s elite.
Source: Swifteradio.com
