Florida Gators Defeat Auburn 79-73, Advance to National Championship Game

In a thrilling national semifinal, Florida overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Auburn 79-73, securing their place in the NCAA Championship game. Walter Clayton Jr. led the Gators with an impressive 34 points, including key shots down the stretch, while Florida's defense clamped down on Auburn star Johni Broome, limiting him to just three points in the second half. After a strong first half where Auburn led 46-38, Florida made crucial adjustments, focusing on forcing Broome to use his weaker right side. The Gators' depth and physicality ultimately wore down the Tigers as they surged ahead with an 11-0 run in the second half. Despite some controversial officiating, Florida's victory was seen as a testament to their resilience and strategic execution. They will face the winner of the Duke vs. Houston matchup in the championship game on Monday.