Even when it got the most tense, the Gators never stopped chomping en route to a third national championship for Florida.
The first half was tight, Houston’s suffocating defense holding Walter Clayton Jr., Florida's back-to-back 30-point scorer, scoreless after the first 20 minutes. Despite this, Florida kept the game close with good rebounding and enough offense from their supporting cast, especially with the scoring outburst from Senior Will Richard, hitting important shots and ending the half with four three-pointers.
Houston’s tough shots weren’t falling like they previously have, but were strong and feisty enough to be able to extend possessions and force and abundance of turnovers early.