The University of Florida Gators staged a dramatic comeback to secure their third NCAA men's basketball championship, overcoming the University of Houston Cougars 65-63 in a nail-biting final in San Antonio. Trailing by 12 points early, the Gators rallied behind Will Richard's 18-point performance and clutch free throws in the final minutes to clinch their first title since 2007.
Houston's L.J. Cryer dominated the first half with a game-high 19 points, while their stifling defense held Florida's star Walter Clayton scoreless until the second half. Clayton, later named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, contributed 11 critical points in the closing stretch.
Free throws decided the outcome in the final two minutes, with Florida's Alijah Martin and Denzel Aberdeen sinking three consecutive shots to seal the victory. At 39, Gators coach Todd Golden became the youngest title-winning coach since 1983, echoing Jim Valvano's historic feat with North Carolina State.
