Florida Gators Soar to NCAA Championship After Gritty Final Four Victory
What a night of basketball we just witnessed, folks. If you're a Florida Gators fan, you're probably still catching your breath after that incredible 79-73 win over Auburn in the Final Four. It was everything March Madness is supposed to be—high drama, fierce competition, and a comeback story that has fans believing anything is possible.
Let’s set the stage. The Gators entered Saturday night’s game needing just one more win to reach the national title game, and they delivered in a big way. Down 46-38 at halftime in a sold-out Alamodome in San Antonio, things weren’t looking great. Auburn had the edge, and with SEC Player of the Year Johni Broome pounding the paint and Chad Baker-Mazara hitting shots from deep, it looked like Florida’s tournament run might come to an end. But not so fast.
Enter Walter Clayton Jr., the senior guard who is writing his own legendary chapter in NCAA Tournament history. He dropped an eye-popping 34 points—yes, 34—including 20 in the second half. He was locked in from all over the court, knocking down 11 of 18 shots and 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. Clayton wasn’t just playing basketball; he was putting on a clinic. That performance also made him the first player since Larry Bird in 1979 to score 30+ points in both the Elite Eight and Final Four. Let that sink in for a moment.
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Alijah Martin wasn’t about to let Clayton do it alone, either. With 17 points, including a clutch steal and go-ahead dunk midway through the second half, Martin ignited the crowd and swung momentum Florida’s way. And how about Thomas Haugh? The sophomore added 12 points and seven boards, helping Florida dominate when it mattered most.
When the game was tied at 57-57, Martin’s explosive dunk sparked a run that Auburn just couldn’t stop. Even when Auburn clawed back to within one, the Gators never wavered. They played like a team destined for something greater—and now, they’re just one win away from a national title.
This marks Florida’s fourth appearance in a national championship game. They’re 2-1 historically, with those unforgettable back-to-back wins in 2006 and 2007. And get this—Clayton just broke the school record for most points in a single NCAA Tournament, surpassing Joakim Noah’s mark from 2006. He also shattered the program’s single-season scoring record with 702 points and counting.
The Gators are now riding an 11-game win streak and stand at 35-4 on the season. Head coach Todd Golden has taken this team to heights few expected in just his third season. Next up? A Monday night showdown for the championship against the Houston Cougars—another comeback squad that stunned Duke earlier in the evening. It's Florida vs. Houston for all the marbles, and you better believe it's going to be a battle.
Mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get your gear ready—because this Florida team isn’t done yet. One more to go. Let’s dance.
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