Image Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Auburn vs. Florida March Madness Result: Second Half Surge Helps Florida to Reach First Title Game Since 2007

Florida Gators will now take on Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Championship game on Apr. 7 in San Antonio.

Image Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Florida pulled off a solid comeback in the second half to defeat the number one overall seed Auburn, 79-73 in Final Four and advanced to the national championship game for the first time since 2007. Auburn and Florida were getting to the rim in the back-and-forth battle but the Gators had the last laugh.

Walter Clayton Jr. scored a game-high 34 points on 11-18 shooting, including five 3-pointers. Alijah Martin added 17 points with three breakaway dunks including a huge poster down the stretch. Thomas Haugh chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds. Chad Baker-Mazara led Auburn with 18 points and Johnni Broome added 15 points and 7 rebounds.

"A return to national prominence for the Gators! Florida will play for the national title." pic.twitter.com/6OXAHHsGvC
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 6, 2025

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Walter Clayton’s second-half outburst drives Florida to title game

Auburn outscored Florida in the first half 46-38 and All-American big man Johni Broome led the charge for the Tigers, scoring 12 points in the first 20 minutes. Walter Clayton Jr. scored 14 points at half on 5-9 shooting. Alijah Martin also chipped in double-figures but Florida struggled in shooting.

The Gators looked like an improved unit in the second half and sparked a 11-3 run in the beginning to tie the game at 49 points. Bruce Pearl’s squad went on a 6-0 run to regain the lead but Walter Clayton Jr. dropped a fadeaway 3-pointer to end Auburn’s run.

Clayton gets right to the cup for 2️⃣#MarchMadness @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/8d5Q3NMkqc
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 6, 2025

Johni Broom failed to deliver after a dominating first half and managed only three second-half points. The Tigers went 8-24 from the floor and committed 12 turnovers in the final 20 minutes. Florida held a 71-68 lead with two minutes to go after Walter Clayton’s basket. The Gators outscored the Tigers 41-27 in the second half, charged by Clayton, who scored 20 points in the period.

Florida Gators will now take on Houston Cougars in the NCAA Championship game on Apr. 7 at Alamodome in San Antonio. It will be a good battle between Walter Clayton and LJ Cryer. The Cougars beat the Blue Devils 70-67 in the Final Four on Saturday.

Image Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.