For the first time since 2007, the Florida Gators are national champions in men’s college basketball.

The Gators rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit to defeat Houston 65-63 in a thrilling final Monday night in San Antonio.

Houston's trademark defense frustrated the Gators for much of the game, forcing turnovers and holding star guard Walter Clayton Jr. to zero points in the first half. But Clayton scored 11 in the second half and came up with a critical defensive play on Houston’s last possession to clinch the victory. He was later named the NCAA Tournament’s most outstanding player.

This is the third national title for Florida, which won back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007.

Florida players celebrate with the trophy.
Florida players celebrate with the trophy.
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Houston guard Milos Uzan walks off the court as Florida-colored confetti falls around him.
Houston guard Milos Uzan walks off the court as Florida-colored confetti falls around him.
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Florida's Will Richard and Cooper Josefsberg embrace during the postgame celebrations.
Florida's Will Richard and Cooper Josefsberg embrace during the postgame celebrations.
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The Gators run onto the court after the final horn.
The Gators run onto the court after the final horn.
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Houston guard Emanuel Sharp drops the ball on the game's final possession after his would-be 3-pointer was contested by Clayton. Sharp couldn't touch the ball again or else he would have been called for a violation. But only a few seconds remained on the clock.
Houston guard Emanuel Sharp drops the ball on the game's final possession after his would-be 3-pointer was contested by Clayton. Sharp couldn't touch the ball again or else he would have been called for a violation. But only a few seconds remained on the clock.
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Florida's Alex Condon dives for the loose ball after Sharp dropped it on the final possession. Houston never got a shot off.
Florida's Alex Condon dives for the loose ball after Sharp dropped it on the final possession. Houston never got a shot off.
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Florida fans react during the Gators' second-half comeback.
Florida fans react during the Gators' second-half comeback.
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Condon dunks during the second half.
Condon dunks during the second half.
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Condon is called for a blocking foul as Houston's J'Wan Roberts drives to the hoop early in the second half.
Condon is called for a blocking foul as Houston's J'Wan Roberts drives to the hoop early in the second half.
Eric Gay/AP
Florida head coach Todd Golden argues with an official during the second half.
Florida head coach Todd Golden argues with an official during the second half.
Bob Donnan/Imagn Images/Reuters
Florida cheerleaders support their team in the second half.
Florida cheerleaders support their team in the second half.
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Houston's Mylik Wilson drives against Thomas Haugh.
Houston's Mylik Wilson drives against Thomas Haugh.
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Richard collides with an opponent's leg as he falls to the floor.
Richard collides with an opponent's leg as he falls to the floor.
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The two teams huddle during a break in the second half.
The two teams huddle during a break in the second half.
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Houston forward Ja'Vier Francis blocks a shot by Florida center Micah Handlogten during the first half. Houston led 31-28 at halftime.
Houston forward Ja'Vier Francis blocks a shot by Florida center Micah Handlogten during the first half. Houston led 31-28 at halftime.
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Richard shoots from deep in the first half.
Richard shoots from deep in the first half.
Robert Deutsch/Imagn Images/Reuters
Wilson reacts to a first-half play.
Wilson reacts to a first-half play.
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Houston fans enjoy the first-half action at the Alamodome.
Houston fans enjoy the first-half action at the Alamodome.
Scott Wachter/Imagn Images/Reuters
Uzan steals the ball from Condon. Houston forced eight first-half turnovers.
Uzan steals the ball from Condon. Houston forced eight first-half turnovers.
Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Golden speaks to Clayton during the first half. The Gators' leading scorer had 0 points at halftime.
Golden speaks to Clayton during the first half. The Gators' leading scorer had 0 points at halftime.
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Houston's Joseph Tugler shoots over Reuben Chinyelu.
Houston's Joseph Tugler shoots over Reuben Chinyelu.
Bob Donnan/Imagn Images/Reuters
Francis dunks on Haugh in the first half.
Francis dunks on Haugh in the first half.
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Tugler reacts after a collision with Chinyelu. He was able to continue.
Tugler reacts after a collision with Chinyelu. He was able to continue.
Eric Gay/AP
Condon looks for someone to pass to in the first half.
Condon looks for someone to pass to in the first half.
Eric Gay/AP
Condon throws down a dunk early in the game
Condon throws down a dunk early in the game
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars were looking for their first national title.
Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars were looking for their first national title.
Brynn Anderson/AP
Roberts blocks Alijah Martin's shot early in the first half.
Roberts blocks Alijah Martin's shot early in the first half.
Sam Hodde/Getty Images
Martin looks to score in the paint.
Martin looks to score in the paint.
Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Roberts shoots over Condon on the game's opening possession.
Roberts shoots over Condon on the game's opening possession.
Brynn Anderson/AP
Tugler and Chinyelu compete for the opening tip.
Tugler and Chinyelu compete for the opening tip.
Stephanie Scarbrough/AP
A wide view of the action at the Alamodome.
A wide view of the action at the Alamodome.
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Sampson and Golden greet each other before the opening tipoff.
Sampson and Golden greet each other before the opening tipoff.
Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Houston players huddle up before the game.
Houston players huddle up before the game.
Bob Donnan/Imagn Images/Reuters
Houston fans cheer on their team during pregame warmups.
Houston fans cheer on their team during pregame warmups.
Robert Deutsch/Imagn Images/Reuters
Fans arrive at the Alamodome for the big game.
Fans arrive at the Alamodome for the big game.
Stephanie Scarbrough/AP