Houston's Kelvin Sampson falls short in national title loss to Florida

In a nail-biting NCAA title game, Kelvin Sampson's Houston Cougars fell to the Florida Gators 65-63, despite leading by 12 points in the second half. The game concluded dramatically, with Houston unable to execute a shot in the final moments due to pressure from Florida's Walter Clayton Jr., who disrupted Emanuel Sharp's potential game-winning three-pointer. This loss prevented Sampson from achieving his 800th career win and the Cougars from securing their first national championship. Sampson expressed pride in his team's efforts throughout the season, emphasizing that they should not be disappointed in their overall performance. The defeat marked a significant moment in Sampson's career, which has seen a remarkable turnaround from previous controversies. The Gators celebrated their third championship, while the Cougars were left to reflect on a historic, yet painful season.