Florida chases down Texas Tech to reach Final 4 with comeback for the ages

Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel on Mar 29, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

SAN FRANCISCO — For the second time in three games, Florida’s memorable season was slipping away.

But a week after two-time national champion UConn could not hold off Walter Clayton Jr. and the Gators, Texas Tech found out why during a comeback for the ages ending with a trip for UF to the Final Four.

UF (34-4) chased down Texas Tech during the final six minutes for an 84-79 win Saturday to earn a trip to San Antonio for next week’s national semifinals.

Clayton (30 points, four assists) and sophomore sixth-man extraordinaire Thomas Haugh (20 points, 11 rebounds) led the way, combining for 50 points for the game, including 22 in the second half by Clayton.

Outmuscled and outhustled by Texas Tech (28-9) a good bit of the evening, UF trailed 71-61 with 6:18 remaining. But Haugh and Clayton took charge as UF eventually grabbed a 78-77 edge with 59 seconds to go — the Gators’ first lead since the 13:26 mark.

From there, Alijah Martin and Will Richard hit all six free throws to dispatch the Red Raiders.

The Gators, the top seed in the West Region and 6.5-point favorite Saturday, rarely have replicated the level of play shown during their run to the SEC Tournament title.

On Saturday, they could not match Texas Tech’s physicality inside, with All-Big 12 selection Darrion Williams (23 points)particularly imposing his will.

Williams, a wide-bodied 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward, had four points, three rebounds and set the defensive tone inside as as Texas Tech manhandled the Gators during a 12-2 run to break a 55-55 tie.

Down 67-57, UF continued to fight behind its veteran backcourt trio, noticeably absent for much of the game. Layups by Martin and Richard sandwiched around a layup by Texas Tech star JT Toppin set the stage for Clayton and Haugh’s heroics.