In a dramatic West Region final, No. 1 seed Florida stormed back from a nine-point deficit in the final minutes to defeat No. 3 Texas Tech, 84-79, and punch its ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 2014. The Gators (34-4) leaned on Walter Clayton Jr., who delivered in the clutch with two huge three-pointers in the final minute to complete the comeback.
Trailing 75-66 with less than three minutes to play, Florida appeared on the verge of elimination. However, Thomas Haugh sparked the rally with two key three-pointers before Clayton took over. After Texas Tech (28-9) missed critical free throws, Clayton drained a fadeaway three with 59 seconds left, giving Florida a 78-77 lead—their first in the final stretch.
Texas Tech’s Darrius Williams answered with a basket down low, but Clayton struck again, hitting another deep three to put Florida ahead for good. The Gators then held off the Red Raiders at the free-throw line, securing their dramatic victory.
The win was especially meaningful for Florida head coach Todd Golden, who played at Saint Mary’s and got his first head coaching job at San Francisco. As the final buzzer sounded, Golden turned to the Gators’ faithful, pumping his fist in celebration as his players poured onto the court.
“It’s a surreal moment,” Golden said postgame. “These guys fought through adversity and showed the heart of a champion.”
Stat leaders for the Florida Gators were Walter Clayton Jr. 30 points and Thomas Haugh 20 points, 11 rebounds lead the for the Gators. As for Texas Tech Darrius Williams had 23 points and JT Toppin had 20 points.
Florida repeatedly attacked the rim, getting to the free-throw line throughout the game. Clayton, in particular, was fouled twice on three-point attempts in the second half, converting five of six free throws.
Texas Tech, which staged its own thrilling comeback in the Sweet 16 against Arkansas, couldn’t hold onto a 10-point lead down the stretch. Williams, who hit a game-winner against the Razorbacks, had two looks at potential game-tying threes but came up short.
The Red Raiders were seeking their second Final Four appearance, their first since 2019, but instead saw their season end in heartbreaking fashion.
Florida’s sixth Final Four appearance is set, as the Gators await the South Region champion—either Auburn or Michigan State—next Saturday in San Antonio. The program previously won back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007 under Billy Donovan and now has a chance to add another championship banner under Golden.
With Clayton leading the charge and the Gators proving their resilience, Florida is heading to the Final Four with momentum—and championship aspirations.
