By ATTS 
Gators Overcome Huskies in a Thrilling Battle
RALEIGH, N.C. — In a heart-stopping clash that brought UConn’s legendary 13-game NCAA tournament winning streak to a dramatic close, the Florida Gators emerged victorious with a 77-75 triumph, fueled by the late-game brilliance of Walter Clayton Jr. The defeat left UConn coach Dan Hurley visibly emotional, acknowledging the culmination of what he termed “a historic run.”
UConn, despite entering the contest as underdogs after two national championships, showcased resilience and tactical prowess, repeatedly frustrating the top-seeded Gators. They even managed a four-point edge during the second half. However, Clayton’s pair of clutch 3-pointers ultimately proved to be the decisive blows, shattering the Huskies’ dreams of extending their extraordinary streak. Uconn was up by 4 point in the second half.Huskies held Clayton in check and tormented Florida’s ball handers.
“There’s some honor, I guess, in the way that this went down,” reflected a somber Hurley. “It’s a tough loss. We played in a manner that gave us a real chance to win. Credit Clayton. He made some NBA-level 3s off the dribble to beat us which it’s take an NBA player to put us down.”
Clayton’s Clutch Performance
The game’s momentum shifted dramatically with Clayton’s back-to-back 3-pointers. The first, with 2:54 remaining, erased a 61-59 deficit, propelling Florida into the lead. The second, a corner 3 with just 1:07 left, extended the advantage to four, a moment that seemed to signal the end of UConn’s reign.When it was kind of nut-cutting time, [our players] stepped up and made big plays.
“When it was kind of nut-cutting time, [our players] stepped up and made big plays,” stated Florida coach Todd Golden. “I think it was more about our guys stepping up and winning the game than UConn not pushing through. Our guys made big-time winning plays down the stretch.”
The victory held a familiar feel for the Gators – a hard-fought, physically demanding battle against a desperate opponent clinging to their championship aspirations,and a chance to go to final four should they escape Florida.
Passing the Torch
A poignant moment transpired after the game as Hurley and Golden shared an embrace on the court., Hurley passed the torch,He said he be rooting for florida for the rest of the way.A symbollic gesture.
“We all know the reality, if you’re going to make a deep run in March, you’ve got to catch some breaks, and you’ve got to win some games like this to be able to push through and stay alive,” Golden remarked. “Theoretically, beating a team like UConn, that’s used to winning this time of year, in the fashion that we did should be really good for us moving forward.”
Hurley’s Reflection and Reset
For Hurley, the loss marked a moment of introspection, prepared for a mental reset at UConn.
“There’s a lot of rewiring and things I’ve got to do in the offseason because you just get caught up in this tidal wave of success that we’ve had,” Hurley admitted. “You lose perspective. You struggle with the ego at times because you’ve been on this incredible run. It will be nice to get to a normal offseason and just get back to myself as a coach … and just focus on the upcoming season and make better decisions with all aspects of coaching.”
Hurley’s fiery demeanor, often displayed in his interactions with officials, was replaced by a wave of emotion following the defeat. The loss, he acknowledged, signified more than just the end of the 2024-25 season; it was the close of an unparalleled era of success.He said he thought he was on the hot seat three years ago before this run began. Now, he wasn’t quite ready to see it end, he said.
A Close Call and Missed Opportunity
Hurley says “You have no idea the company [we’re in] and what we’ve accomplished,So we can take some solace in that. But today was — to be that close to getting to a Sweet 16″He expressed Uconn was so close to getting to sweet 16.
The bracket could’ve really opened up for us.”
The End of an Era: UConn’s Dynasty Concludes
The fall of a giant. The UConn Huskies, a team synonymous with March Madness dominance, saw their extraordinary run come to an end at the hands of the Florida Gators. Walter Clayton Jr.’s late-game heroics etched a new chapter in NCAA tournament history, leaving UConn to grapple with the unfamiliar sting of defeat.It’s a tough loss but the team played in a manner to win
For Coach Dan Hurley, the loss was a deeply personal one. The emotions, raw and unfiltered, painted a picture of a coach coming to terms with the conclusion of an era he wasn’t entirely prepared to relinquish. He had to come in terms with end of 13 game.The tears shed were not just for the game lost, but for the legacy built, the battles fought, and the victories savored.
The game itself was a testament to UConn’s resilience. They pushed the top-seeded Gators to their limits, executing a game plan designed to exploit weaknesses and capitalize on opportunities. They even managed to snatch a lead in the second half, raising hopes of a miraculous upset.But it was not a easy game and Uconn was struggled.They dragged them into the type of game that we wanted to drag them into
However, basketball, like life, often hinges on moments of individual brilliance. Walter Clayton Jr. provided those moments, his clutch 3-pointers serving as daggers to the heart of UConn’s ambitions. They were shots of the highest caliber, showcasing skill, composure, and a killer instinct.Florida coach Todd Golden said after the game “I think it was more about our guys stepping up and winning the game than UConn not pushing through. Our guys made big-time winning plays down the stretch.”
As the final buzzer sounded, a new reality settled upon the UConn program. The dynasty had ended, not with a whimper, but with a roar of defiance and a touch of heartbreak. The journey ahead would require recalibration, a rediscovery of the hunger that fueled their initial ascent.It take some time for Hurley,to be on the mental reset.
For the Florida Gators, the victory was a significant milestone. They had slain a giant, overcome a formidable opponent, and earned the right to continue their own quest for glory. The torch had been passed, symbolically and literally, from one program to another. It was nice to get to a normal offseason and just get back to myself as a coach.Hurley also said, he struggle for the ego at times.As florida moves on,Hurley prepared for mental reset at Uconn.