Florida Gators End UConn’s Title Streak with Thrilling 77-75 Victory

• Mar 23, 2025

The Florida Gators stunned the two-time defending champion UConn Huskies with a thrilling 77-75 win in their second-round matchup of the men’s basketball tournament on Sunday. The Gators, who were trailing the entire game until the final minutes, seized control with a clutch 6-0 run late in the game.

Florida, the No. 1 seed, didn’t take their first lead until 2:44 left in the game. Guard Walter Clayton Jr. sparked the run with a crucial 3-pointer, and a turnover by the Huskies led to a breakaway dunk by Will Richard. Alijah Martin capped the victory with an emphatic dunk off an offensive rebound, giving Florida a hard-fought win.

The game was tied at 31 at halftime after UConn’s Hassan Diarra nailed a 3-pointer to close the first half. The Huskies seemed poised to build momentum but couldn’t pull away. Florida kept it close, and UConn never led by more than six points.

Clayton led the Gators with 23 points, shooting 6-of-14 from the field and 5-of-8 from 3-point range. Martin contributed 18 points, while Richard added 15. UConn's Liam McNeely led his team with 22 points, including a buzzer-beater to close out the game.

This win marks Florida’s first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2017. The Gators, who won the SEC Championship this season, were eliminated in the first round last year and had not advanced beyond the second round since 2017.

The loss ends UConn’s bid for a historic third consecutive NCAA title. The Huskies, who won the championship in 2023 and 2024, will not have the chance to make it three straight. Florida now advances to face the winner of the No. 12 Colorado State and No. 4 Maryland matchup.