Florida defeats Houston 65-63 to win NCAA championship

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Florida Gators are national champions, defeating the Houston Cougars in San Antonio on Monday night.

The Gators beat Houston 65-63, after the Cougars led most of the game.

It is Florida's third title in program history. It is their first since winning back-to-back in 2006-2007.

Houston has never won an NCAA title.

Florida defeats Houston in NCAA Championship

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - APRIL 07: Will Richard #5 of the Florida Gators celebrates after second half in the National Championship of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Houston Cougars at the Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texa

Expand

The Florida Gators made a ferocious comeback to beat the Houston Cougars on Monday in San Antonio.

Houston built a 12-point lead in the second half, but Florida was able to take the lead with 46 seconds left and never gave it back.

The Cougars struggled with foul trouble throughout the game.

On the final possession, Houston's Emanuel Sharp was swarmed by Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. Sharp stopped in the middle of his shooting motion and dropped the ball, unable to pick it up without being called for traveleing.

Houston's LJ Cryer led all scorers in the game with 19 points.

Will Richard led the way for the Gators with 18.

Florida coach Todd Golden, 39, becomes the youngest coach to win a national championship since Jim Valvano, whose NC State team defeated the Phi Slama Jamma Cougars in 1983.

Live Updates

10:32 p.m.

The University of Houston sent out a post on social media after the loss.

"A tough end, but what a historic season this has been for the Coogs! Thank you for representing Houston with pride," it wrote.

10:19 p.m.

10:10 p.m.

It's over. Florida takes homes the national title.

10:08 p.m.

Florida is up 65-63 with 19 seconds left. Does Houston have any more magic left in them?

10:07 p.m.

The frantic Coogs defense almost caused another inbound disaster, but instead Florida is shooting free throws.

10:04 p.m.

The ball is out of bounds off Houston. Florida will have the ball up one with 26 seconds left.

10:02 p.m.

10:01 p.m.

1 minute left! Houston is up 1.

9:55 p.m.

Houston is up 2 with two minutes left. How are we feeling Coogs fans?

9:50 p.m.

A huge tip slam!

Houston is back up by three, 60-57.

9:46 p.m.

Florida and Houston are going back and forth with 6 minutes left.

A huge three from LJ Cryer puts Houston up 3.

9:41 p.m.

It's all tied up.

9:37 p.m.

Houston's lead is now 1 point.

Tense moments in San Antonio.

9:36 p.m.

Things are getting close.

Houston's lead is 48-45.

9:34 p.m.

You can keep an eye on the watch party at UH in the live player above.

9:31 p.m.

LJ Cryer hits a HUGE three!

Houston is up 48-42.

9:25 p.m.

Florida is on a run. The Gators have cut the Houston lead to 4 points.

Houston 45-Florida 41.

9:18 p.m.

Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. is officially on the board. He nails two free throws for his first points of the game.

9:15 p.m.

No one said it would be easy.

Florida will be shooting free throws to cut the lead to 8 after the latest timeout.

Houston is up 42-32.

9:09 p.m.

Houston is pulling away! The Coogs have a 12-point lead. It's the biggest deficit the Gators have seen in the tournament.

9:01 p.m.

The second half in underway in San Antonio. Can the Coogs hang on?

8:41 p.m.

Houston's defense did what Houston's defense does.

A stifling effort from the Coogs holds Florida star Walter Clayton Jr. scoreless in the first half.

8:38 p.m.

The Coogs are up at the half! Houston leads 31-28.

8:28 p.m.

Governor Greg Abbott is in the house

8:25 p.m.

The Cougars are surging! A thunderous alley-oop and a banked in 3 put Houston up 29-21.

8:17 p.m.

The UH Student Center is packed for tonight's game!

8:10 p.m.

Houston has a 4-point lead with 10 minutes left in the first half.

Kelvin Sampson says "nerves" are affecting players on both teams.

8:09 p.m.

A brutal start for Florida's star player.

8:03 p.m.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - APRIL 07: Ja'Vier Francis #5 of the Houston Cougars dunks the ball against Thomas Haugh #10 of the Florida Gators during the first half in the National Championship of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on Apri

Expand

Ja'Vier Francis gets himself a poster during the National Championship. A HUGE slam.

8:00 p.m.

At the first break, Houston and Florida are tied at 8. Both teams have been VERY active on the boards.

7:58 p.m.

It's getting chippy early. Joseph Tugler takes a shot to the stomach after the dunk. It's 6-6 early.

7:54 p.m.

Houston scores first, taking a 2-0 lead.

7:52 p.m.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - APRIL 07: Joseph Tugler #11 of the Houston Cougars jumps for the opening tipoff against Rueben Chinyelu #9 of the Florida Gators during the first half in the National Championship of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the Al

Expand

The game is on!

7:45 p.m.

There is a watch party crowd here in Houston!

7:36 p.m.

Announcer Jim Nantz is one of the biggest Houston fans around.

Nantz told FOX 26's Will Kunkel that "it's going to be the night we've longed for forever."

7:32 p.m.

Terrance Arceneaux on HS championship in the Alamodome

University of Houston's Terrance Arceneaux remembers winning his high school championship at the Alamodome. Arceneaux and the Coogs take on Florida in the Alamodome on Monday.

Terrance Arceneaux has experience playing for a state championship in the Alamodome.

FOX 26's Will Kunkel took him back for a trip down memory lane to remember the moment.

7:25 p.m.

Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz have some skin in tonight's game.

Both bet Shiner Bock beer and Blue Bell ice cream on today's game with their Floridian counterparts.

The losers will also have to wear the jerseys of the winning team.

If Houston wins, Governor Ron DeSantis and Senator Rick Scott will send Cruz and his staff Cuban food, Key Lime pie and Florida beer.

7:20 p.m.

A team that knows a thing or two about winning a chip are throwing their support behind the Cougars.

7:13 p.m.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - APRIL 07: Houston Cougars fans cheer before the NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship game at Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Plenty of Coogs fans made the trip to San Antonio.

6:57 p.m.

LJ Cryer's family ahead of NCAA Championship

Houston star LJ Cryer has been one of the team's best players this season. Cryer's family talked to FOX 26 ahead of the game.

UH star LJ Cryer's mom and brother talk to FOX 26's Anthony Antoine ahead of tonight's game.

6:51 p.m.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - APRIL 07: Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars walks in during the NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship game at Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty I

Expand

Coach is in the building!

6:47 p.m.

Former UH star Clyde Drexler is in the house! FOX 26's Anthony Antonie captured video of Drexler at the team's hotel.

6:37 p.m.

Tonight will be Coach Kelvin Sampson's first time coaching a for a national championship.

Sampson would be

6:30 p.m.

Our pre-game show is live!

6:25 p.m.

Send us pics in your Cougars gear and you could see them on TV and online!

6:24 p.m.

The Coogs have departed their hotel and are heading to the Alamodome.

6:20 p.m.

Former UH player Lynden Rose speaks ahead of title game

Phi Slama Jamma's Lynden Rose talks about tonight's Houston-Florida game and the importance to the city and the school.

Phi Slama Jamma's Lynden Rose talks to FOX 26's Anthony Antoine about the game and the importance to the city and school.

March Madness Finals: How to watch Houston vs. Florida

TV channel: CBS
Online stream: March Madness website

What time is the March Madness Finals?

The game will tipoff at 7:50 p.m. central standard time.

Houston-Florida Odds

By the numbers:

DraftKings Sportsbook has Houston as underdogs in Monday night's game. After the stunning Final Four win over Duke, the Cougars opened as 1-point favorites over the Gators, but the line has moved to favor Florida.

Spread: Florida -1
Moneyline: Houston -105, Florida -115
O/U total: 140.5