Florida wins NCAA Tournament over Houston after erasing 12-point deficit in thrilling fashion

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The Florida Gators have been crowned champions of the 2025 men’s basketball NCAA Tournament after defeating the Houston Cougars, 65-63, in thrilling fashion on Monday night. 

The Gators had not won the national title on the hardwood since doing so back-to-back in 2006 and 2007 under Billy Donovan. This is the program's third national title.

Florida battled the pesky Cougars all night, coming back in the second half to win it all.

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Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) shoots the ball against Houston Cougars forward J'Wan Roberts (13) during the second half in the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. (Scott Wachter-Imagn Images)

As expected, both teams played suffocating defense throughout the 40 minutes on the court, and the final two minutes of the second half turned into a back-and-forth whirlwind. 

The result boiled down to multiple defensive stops for the Gators, starting with Will Richard’s block on a jumper that was followed by a Joseph Tugler turnover after a battle underneath the hoop with 1:22 left to play. 

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Florida got L.J. Cryer, Houston’s leading scorer on the night with 19 points, to turn the ball over with Alex Condon recording the steal. At the other end of the floor, as Florida, down 63-62, was desperate for a bucket, Alijah Martin was fouled by Tugler and got to go to the free-throw line with the potential to take the lead with 46 seconds left on the clock. 

With ice in his veins, Martin buried both charity stripe