The Florida Gators earned its first NCAA title game berth since 2007 with a thrilling 79-73 win over SEC-foe Auburn Tigers. Trailing by seven at halftime, the Gators surged behind Walter Clayton Jr., who delivered a season-best 34 points and drained five 3-pointers.
His standout performance tied the highest single-game scoring mark in a Final Four since Danny Ferry’s 34-point outing in 1989. Clayton Jr.’s offensive explosion was crucial to Florida’s comeback, as the Gators punched their ticket to Monday’s championship clash with a historic effort from their star guard.
Gators Advance to Title Game Behind Walter Clayton Jr.’s Record-Tying Night
Florida punched their ticket to the national championship game for the first time since 2007 despite trailing 46-38 at halftime. The Gators roared back with a 41-27 second-half surge, led by Clayton Jr., who delivered with his season-high 34 points.
“He has done it all year for us, in big moments,” Florida coach Todd Golden said.
Clayton matched the highest-scoring Final Four performance since Ferry’s 34 in 1989, but that wasn’t all.
It also placed him alongside NCAA legends Darrell Griffith (1980) and Don May (1967), who each hit the same mark in semifinal play. The senior guard became the first player to record back-to-back 30-point outings in the Elite Eight and Final Four since Larry Bird in 1979, following up his 30-point game against Texas Tech with Saturday’s masterclass.
“I just got a bunch of guys around me that trust me,” Clayton said. “Those guys trust me to take those shots, and some nights they fall. Tonight was one of them.”
Auburn, who fell to Florida for the second time this season, was strong early behind Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazara.
Broome’s post presence helped the Tigers build a 40-31 lead, while Baker-Mazara buried a key 3-pointer. Despite Auburn’s momentum, Alijah Martin kept Florida close with 10 first-half points, and his and-1 layup helped the Gators stay within eight at the break.
Florida opened the second half with an 11-3 run, highlighted by Clayton and Martin, tying the game at 49.
The duo combined for 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting, sparking another 11-0 burst that flipped a nine-point deficit into a two-point lead. Martin added a thunderous dunk over Baker-Mazara, giving the Gators a 71-68 edge.
Defensively, Florida was locked in. Auburn scored just 12 points in the first 12:13 of the second half, committing seven turnovers, and going 0-for-1 from deep. Broome, clearly fatigued, managed just three points in that span.
KEEP READING: Who Are Walter Clayton Jr.’s Parents?
Florida will play for the national title on Monday.
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