Florida completes comeback to beat Houston to win March Insanity nationwide championship
SAN ANTONIO — The horn sounded. Houston couldn’t get a shot off. Florida celebrated as confetti fell from the roof.
The Gators, an offensive juggernaut all season, received their first nationwide championship in 18 years with protection — in opposition to the college recognized for stifling the opposition.
Florida locked down Houston late and prevailed 65-63 at a rocking Alamodome on Monday evening, erasing a 12-point second-half deficit to equal the third-largest comeback in nationwide championship sport historical past.
Walter Clayton Jr. struggled for a lot of the night, however nonetheless scored 11 huge factors within the second half and Alijah Martin’s two free throws with 46.5 seconds to go gave the Gators the lead for good.
Houston didn’t rating over the ultimate 2:05 and dedicated 4 turnovers in that span.
The ultimate one was the crusher.
Emanuel Sharp, who hit the important thing 3-pointer within the dramatic win over Duke on Saturday evening, couldn’t get his shot off. Fairly than journey, he tried to dribble.
However the first participant to leap on the ball was Florida’s Alex Condon.
Time ran out on the Cougars, who’re nonetheless in search of their first nationwide championship.
Will Richard scored 18 factors for Florida and Condon added 12 factors and 7 rebounds.
LJ Cryer scored 19 factors to guide Houston, which was held to 31.3 % taking pictures after halftime.
After a 4:12 scoreless stretch, Houston lastly bought going once more on the offensive finish, beginning with a questionable foul on Florida ahead Rueben Chinyelu.
He slammed the ball to the courtroom, drawing a technical foul.
It was a three-point possession for the Cougars, who scored on 5 of their subsequent six possessions to hold a three-point lead into the ultimate media timeout.
Out of the break, Clayton hit his first 3-pointer of the night on his sixth try.
The nationwide championship was tied for the tenth time.
Florida lastly went forward with 46.5 seconds to go on two Martin free throws, its first lead because the opening minutes.
The primary shot of the sport was a Clayton 3-pointer that got here up quick, a foreboding signal for the senior.
He went scoreless within the first half as Florida was outplayed over the primary 20 minutes.
The officers allow them to play, calling simply 4 fouls within the opening half, a bonus to bodily Houston, which blocked 5 pictures within the opening stanza.
The Cougars acquired shocking offensive contributions from reserves Mylik Wilson (seven) and Ja’Vier Francis (six).
Struggling in opposition to Houston’s strain, the Gators dedicated 9 turnovers and by no means actually have been settled offensively.
They have been solely down three on the break, most due to Richard’s 14 factors and 4 3-pointers, and Houston’s struggles from deep (2-of-14).
However the Cougars got here out of the gates on hearth after intermission, ripping off an 11-2 spurt to push the result in 12. Cryer had seven of these factors, whereas Clayton remained scoreless.
He lastly bought on the board with two free throws 5:03 into the second half. On the next possession, nonetheless, he missed a midrange jumper and was taken out.
The Houston lead was again as much as 11.
With Clayton on the bench, Florida lastly discovered some semblance of a rhythm. A fast 8-0 run, capped by an acrobatic Haugh 3-point play, trimmed the deficit to 3.
A couple of minutes later, Clayton completed off a lefty drive for his first area aim of the evening 32:06 after the opening tip.
After a timeout, he sank the free throw.
Florida was now even at 48 and seven:54 remained within the faculty basketball season.
