The Florida Gators are off the NCAA tournament title game after a 79-73 win over the Auburn Tigers in the Final Four's first semifinal game.
Auburn took a 46-38 lead into the half before the Gators went on a 9-0 early second-half run to tie the game at 49. The rest of the second half went back and forth between the two SEC heavyweights until Florida took control in the final minutes.
Walter Clayton Jr. led the way with an incredible game for the Gators. He had 34 points on an efficient 11-for-18 from the field and 5-for-8 from three-point range. He put on a complete shot-making display down in San Antonio.
HOW DID THAT GO IN!? 🤯#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/d8htlXdpjw
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2025
Clayton became the first player with back-to-back 30-point games in the Elite Eight and national semifinals since Larry Bird in 1979, according to ESPN. And he made a big and-one bucket which put the Gators up six points with just 1:33 remaining. Florida never looked back:
Poetry in motion. Walter Clayton Jr. lives for these moments. pic.twitter.com/Dw3R5hnfkF
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 6, 2025
Florida's Alijah Martin, who had 17 points on the night, had a couple of the best dunks you'll ever see. One came off a steal where he jumped from just inside the free-throw line and finished the slam:
ALIJAH MARTIN TAKES FLIGHT ✈️#MarchMadness @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/Cq3VaiU7Jm
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2025
Then, just a few minutes later, he postered two Tigers in transition and CBS broadcaster Bill Raftery went nuts:
OH MY GOODNESS ALIJAH MARTIN POSTER 😱#MarchMadness @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/JFyVsSaOT1
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 6, 2025
Auburn big man Johni Broome had 15 points on 6-for-14 from the field, along with seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks. The first-team All-American was a force near the rim on both ends of the floor.
Johni Broome muscles his way in 💪#MarchMadness @AuburnMBB pic.twitter.com/d8c5TnNGQz
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2025
Chad Baker-Mazara led the Tigers with 18 points and four three-pointers.
Florida now awaits the winner of Houston and Duke, which tips Saturday night at approximately 8:49 p.m. ET. The national championship game tips off Monday night at 8:50 p.m. ET, also at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
More March Madness on Sports Illustrated
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Florida Outlasts Auburn in Final Four Thriller to Punch Ticket to Championship Game.
