Florida Gators’ coupling recording late in their second round men’s basketball tournament Matchup helped beat the two-time defending champion Uconn Huskies Sunday 77-75.
No. 1 Florida did not at all before 2:44 back in the game. Guard Walter Clayton Jr. Spiked a 3-pointer, and then led a Huskies turnover to an outbreak dunk from Will Richard. It was part of a 6-0 race and Gators never looked back.
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Florida -Guard Alijah Martin celebrates after scoring against Uconn, Sunday 23 March 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Alijah Martin later threw a thump out of an offensive rebound to put exclamation on the dramatic victory.
The game was tied to 31 at the break after Uconns Hassan Diarra spiked a 3-pointer. It looked like Huskies was building speed to stun one of the country’s best teams. But Florida held it close. Huskies never had a lead bigger than six points.
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Connecticut tip Liam McNeeley responds after making a 3-point shot against Florida, Sunday March 23, 2025, in Raleigh. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbough)
Clayton ended with 23 points. He was 6-of-14 from the field and 5-of-8 from 3-point reach. Martin added 18 points and Richard had 15.
Liam McNEely, who hit a Summer-Beater before the end of the game, led Huskies with 22 points.
Gators are back in Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017 under Michael White. The team lost in the first round last season and left the second round three times before that.
Florida won the SEC championship this season on the way to earn # 1 seed in the West region. The team plays the winner of Nr. 12 Colorado State and No. 4 Maryland.
Florida head coach Todd Golden responds during the Connecticut game, Sunday 23 March 2025, in Raleigh. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbough)
Huskies’ loss ended the program’s shot at three consecutive college basketball titles. Uconn defeated San Diego State in 2023 and topped Purdue last year.
