Mississippi was well-represented when Florida cut down the nets following a hard-fought win over Houston in the national championship on Monday night.
Though the Gators ultimately came out on top, the Cougars led most of the contest courtesy of their stalwart defense. At halftime, Houston had a 31-28 advantage. Kelvin Sampson’s crew put its foot on the gas early in the second half, mounting a 12-2 run in the first four and a half minutes to take a 12-point lead.
Initial efforts by Florida to claw back into the game proved futile until Summit native Alijah Martin buried a stepback three-pointer with 12:38 on the clock, putting the Gators within six points on the scoreboard. From there, the momentum pendulum swung in the Gators’ direction.
Alijah Martin steps back 🎯#MarchMadness @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/fZeIxYWiN4
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
With just under eight minutes remaining in regulation, a tied ballgame was underway in San Antonio. A rock fight between the nation’s top teams ensued. Houston put an end to Florida’s run and managed to maintain a small lead until Martin sunk a pair of free throws with 49 seconds left. This gave the Gators their first lead since the 15:21 mark of the first half.
After Houston failed to get a shot off during its final offensive possession, the buzzer sounded with Todd Golden’s Florida crew leading 65-63. The win marked the Gators’ third national title in program history and the first since the team earned back-to-back crowns in 2006 and 2007.
Golden, at age 39, is the youngest coach to win a national title since the late Jim Valvano, better known as “Jimmy V,” took NC State to glory in 1983. As for Martin, the North Pike High School graduate and Florida Atlantic transfer had seven points and a rebound in the matchup. Florida’s top production came from senior guard Will Richard, who logged 18 points and eight boards.
As college basketball comes to a pause for the next seven months, fans can relive some of the greatest moments of this past NCAA Tournament here.
