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 and sophomore sixth-man extraordinaire Thomas Haugh led the way, combining for 50 points for the game, including 22 in the second half.
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, Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard each hit two 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, UF could not match Texas Tech’s physicality inside, with All-Big 12 selection Darrion Williams particularly imposing his will.
Williams, a wide-bodied 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward, had 4 points, 3 rebounds and set the defensive tone inside 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.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
