Florida Gators overcame 12-point deficit to claim a stunning 65-63 victory over the Houston Cougars in an NCAA men's basketball title-game thriller in San Antonio, Texas.
Senior Will Richard led the scoring for the Gators with 18 points in Florida's first trip to the title game since they last won in 2007.
Houston appeared well on their way to their first-ever title as they held Florida sharpshooter Walter Clayton Jr. scoreless through the first half in a stunning defensive performance but could not hang on against an energised Gators offense.
With the win, 39-year-old Florida head coach Todd Golden became the youngest to win the NCAA title since 1983.
"We did what we did all year - we stayed the course," said head coach Todd Golden, 39, the youngest head coach to win the NCAA title since 1983. "Like we did all year, we made plays when we needed it the most."
Florida appeared off-kilter at the start with a flurry of early turnovers while sharpshooter Clayton went scoreless through the first half.
The Houston fans inside San Antonio's Alamodome went wild as guard L.J. Cryer hit a three from deep to kick off a 8-0 run for the Cougars in the last six minutes of the half, and they went into the locker room with a three-point lead.
Houston amassed a 12-point head start within the first five minutes of the second half with a pair of three-pointers from Cryer, but the Florida offense quickly fought back, levelling it with less than eight minutes left on the clock.
Guard Alijah Martin gave the Gators the lead with a pair of free throws with 46 seconds left before Houston turned the ball over in the chaotic final moments of the game.
"It's a feeling I can't even explain," said the Gators' Clayton, who finished the night with 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
UConn Huskies won the Women's National Championship - defeating defending champions South Carolina by one of the biggest margins in Final Four history (82-59).
It is UConn's 12th title as they extend their record as the most successful franchise in women's college basketball history.
Paige Bueckers, Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd were the standout players throughout the final.
At the end of the NCAA College basketball regular season, two 68-team tournaments - one each for men and women - take place to crown the 2025 NCAA champions.
The men's tournament began in 1939 followed by the women's competition in 1982, with both offering a stage to some of basketball's greatest future players. Superstars like Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, Derrick Rose and Michael Jordan all took part before their NBA careers and helped change the tournament standards forever.
Caitin Clark, the story of the year in 2024, dominated last year's headlines with her record-breaking performances as she brought more eyes onto women's basketball than ever before.
Sweet 16
Elite Eight
Final Four
Final
Sweet 16
Elite Eight
Final Four
Final
