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In a thrilling NCAA Tournament matchup, Alvaro Folgueiras of Iowa delivered a game-winning 3-pointer with just 4.5 seconds left on the clock, leading his team to a dramatic 73-72 victory over defending champions Florida on Sunday. This victory in Tampa marks the end of the Gators’ tournament run, as they were the first top seed to be eliminated in this year’s March Madness.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Ben McCollum, Iowa has reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015. The ninth-seeded Hawkeyes, who now boast a record of 23-12, overcame a second-half slump where they lost a 12-point advantage but managed to rally back in the final moments. Their next challenge will be against the fourth-seeded Nebraska in the South Region semifinals, set to take place Thursday night in Houston.
The intense game saw Florida’s Xaivian Lee put his team ahead with a driving layup, making it 71-68 with under two minutes remaining. However, Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz responded with a crucial floater, narrowing the gap to 71-70 with just 57 seconds on the clock.
Following a missed 3-pointer by Florida’s Thomas Haugh, Stirtz also missed a running layup, but teammate Isaiah Brown grabbed the crucial rebound with 8.9 seconds left. Brown then managed to make one of his two free throws, setting the stage for Folgueiras’ stunning final shot.
After Thomas Haugh missed a 3-pointer, Stirtz missed a running layup and Isaiah Brown grabbed the rebound with 8.9 seconds left. Brown made his second free throw.
But Iowa easily broke Florida’s full-court press and Folguerias was wide open in the corner for his 3. Florida didn’t get a shot off before the buzzer, with Lee’s desperate drive ending with a pass that Haugh couldn’t handle.
Coming off a 59-point victory over Prairie View A&M on Friday night, Florida played like a team that hadn’t been tested.
It felt like a home game for the Gators, who played in front of a sea of orange and blue at Benchmark International Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Fans left stunned.
Tavion Banks led Iowa with 20 points, Folgueiras had 14 and Stirtz finished with 13 on another off night when he shot just 5 of 16. Cooper Kock scored 12 points on four 3s.
Alex Condon led Florida with 21 points, Haugh had 19 and Lee added 17.
A scuffle broke out just past the midpoint of the first half with Iowa leading 19-13 when Condon and Folgueiras battled for a loose ball. Both players went to the floor holding on tightly. Folgueiras swung his arm back but didn’t follow through with a punch and the players had to be separated. Florida coach Todd Golden sprinted onto the floor to help calm things down, and both players were assessed technical fouls.
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