HOUSTON, Texas– The Florida Gators secured a spot in the NCAA Final Four after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders 84-79 in a thrilling Elite Eight matchup at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday, March 29.
The Gators staged a remarkable comeback after trailing by 10 points in the second half.
Texas Tech had taken control with a 12-2 scoring run following a 55-55 tie, with Darrion Williams and JT Toppin leading the Red Raiders’ offense, combining for 43 points.
Florida responded with a critical late-game rally, sparked by consecutive three-pointers from Thomas Haugh and Walter Clayton Jr. that initiated a 9-0 run and tied the game at 75.
Texas Tech’s Williams briefly regained the lead with a layup, but Clayton Jr. answered with another three-pointer to put Florida up 78-77.
The Gators held on to their lead with successful free throws in the final moments, sealing the victory and ending the Red Raiders’ hopes for an upset.
This win marks Florida’s first Final Four appearance since 2014. They will face the winner of the upcoming Auburn vs. Michigan State matchup.
The game was fiercely contested from the start, with neither team gaining a significant advantage in the first half.
Florida led 40-37 at the break, with Texas Tech hitting seven three-pointers. However, Florida’s persistence and strategic plays in the closing minutes ultimately gave them the edge.
This victory follows a dramatic comeback by Texas Tech in their previous game, where they overcame a 16-point deficit to defeat Arkansas 85-83 in overtime.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Milos Uzan’s clutch performance led the Houston Cougars to a 62-60 win over Purdue, advancing them to the Elite Eight.
Uzan made a game-winning basket with less than a second remaining after a key inbounds play, capping a strong defensive effort by Houston.