Florida wins its third national title and denies Houston its first, rallying for 65-63 victory

SAN ANTONIO Florida and Walter Clayton Jr somehow overcame Houston s spirit-crushing defense Monday night to will out a - conquest in an NCAA title-game thriller not decided until Clayton s own D stopped the Cougars from taking a game-winning shot at the buzzer Clayton finished with points all in the second half but what he ll be remembered for the greater part was getting Houston s Emanuel Sharp to stop in the middle of his motion as he tried to go up for the game-winning in the final seconds Clayton ran at him Sharp dropped the ball and unable to pick it up lest he get called for traveling watched it bounce there while the clock ticked to zero Will Richard had points to keep the Gators - in it and they won their third overall title and first since The Cougars - and coach Kelvin Sampson were denied their first championship This was a defensive brawl and for most of of the night Clayton got the worst of it He was for from the field without a point through the first half He didn t points until remained in the championship He finished with one -pointer and before that a pair of three-point plays that kept the Gators in striking range It was Florida s defense not Houston s that controlled the final minute Related Articles UConn women s basketball dominates South Carolina to capture its th title RJ Smith joins transfer portal exodus for CU Buffs men s basketball Men s basketball Assane Diop opts for transfer portal leaving CU Buffs Keeler Grandview s Lauren Betts not Luka Doncic is new face of L A hoops Lauren Betts brief absence provides valuable test for UCLA in March Madness After Alijah Martin made two free throws to put Florida ahead - its first lead since - the Gators lured Sharp into a triple-team in the corner where Richard got him to dribble the ball off his leg and out of bounds Florida made one free throw on the next possession and that set up the finale The ball went to Sharp who was moving to spot up for a when Clayton ran at him That left him with no choice but to let the ball go Sampson who designed a defense that held Florida under points for only the second time this season looked on in shock Instead of Sampson becoming the oldest coach to win the title at age -year-old Todd Golden becomes the youngest since N C State s Jim Valvano in to win it all Want more sports news Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver s teams