The Auburn Tigers’ historic basketball season ended earlier than Auburn fans hoped with a heartbreaking 79-73 defeat in the Final Four against the Florida Gators, who now advance to tonight’s national title game against the Houston Cougars.
Auburn had control of the game after the first half, leading 46-38 in a dominant offensive effort, including 12 points by Johni Broome and eight points each from Miles Kelly and Chad Baker-Mazara.
working those angles 🤌 pic.twitter.com/nyeu80riIZ
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) April 5, 2025
BAAAANG 💥 pic.twitter.com/31UYSszcp1
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) April 5, 2025
Star Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. however had 14 in the first half, though as it turned out he had something much bigger in store for the second frame.
The Tiger lead did not last long in the second half with a 9-0 Florida run early pulling the game to even with just over 16 minutes left:
HERE COME THE GATORS 🐊
9-0 RUN FOR FLORIDA 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LbcnOLeJ0s
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 5, 2025
Auburn kept throwing punches, but ridiculous shot making from Clayton Jr. kept the Gators right there and made it a heavyweight battle until the end:
three number 4 for No.1 pic.twitter.com/qrGecSvLz3
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) April 5, 2025
LATE-GAME WALTER CLAYTON HAS ARRIVED 🎯#MarchMadness @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/4jsADtBYTT
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 6, 2025
It was a Clayton Jr. And-1 with just under two minutes left which put the Gators up by six and ultimately had the game out of reach:
WALTER CLAYTON JR. IS NOT HUMAN.#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/KTJN8TMaYB
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 6, 2025
Clayton Jr. finished the game with 34 points while Alijah Martin added 17 of his own.
For the Tigers, a quiet second half from Broome led to him to finishing the game with just 15 while Baker-Mazara led with 18 points.
Though it did not end with orange and navy confetti falling in San Antonio, Tigers fans should be proud of the historic and storybook season for the ages. It’s safe to say Auburn under Bruce Pearl is not going anywhere and it wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone to see this team right back in the Final Four next season in Indianapolis.
