SAN ANTONIO — In a clash between the SEC’s regular season and tournament champions the latter prevailed as Florida was able to put together a second half surge to end Auburn’s historic season 79-73 in the Final Four.
Below are stats to know from the national semifinal, Auburn’s final game of the 2024-25.
Game Specific:
In a back-and-forth national semifinal, the Tigers and Gators changed leads 15 times.
After starting 3-for-3 from deep, the Gators missed their next six attempts before knocking down their final 3-pointer of the first half. However in the final 20 minutes of play, Florida knocked down four shots from deep compared to Auburn’s three second half 3-pointers.
Florida, who entered the game ranked No. 2 nationally in fast break points, didn't record its first such points until midway through the second half. The Gators finished with just four fast break points.
Despite Auburn leading by eight at the half, Florida put together an 11-0 run marking its 36th 10-0 run of the season, and just the ninth that the Tigers have given up all year.
In two performances against Auburn, Florida point guard Walter Clayton Jr. combined for 53 points, shooting 9-of-16 from deep.
In the first half, Johni Broome put together a 12 point performance but only knocked down one shot in the entire second half at the 15:21 mark.
Tonight is the first time Bruce Pearl has lost a tournament game at Auburn with his guards combining for 40-or-more points. Denver Jones, Chad Baker-Mazara, Miles Kelly and Tahaad Pettiford combined for 43 points, shooting 7-of-23 from deep.
After scoring in double figures in all four NCAA Tournament games, Pettiford put together just a seven point performance, shooting 0-for-4 from deep agaisnt the Gators.
At the half Auburn led the battle at the board by a margin of one. In the final 20 minutes of player Florida won rebounding by a +10 margin and finished the evening with 12 total offensive rebounds.
After a 46 point first half for Auburn, the Tigers scored just 27 the rest of the way, hitting just eight shots from the field in the second half of play.
No. 44 Dylan Cardwell makes a dunk against the Florida Gators inside of the Alamodome at the Final Four on April 5, 2025.
Program History:
For just the second time ever, Auburn’s season ends in the Final Four.
The Tigers program-record victories is now officially set at 32 with the end of the season, surpassing the 2018-19 team’s 30 single-season victories.
Series History:
Auburn now leads 92-85 in the all-time series with Florida – the Gators picked up a pair of victories over the Tigers this season in the regular season and tonight.
The Gators have now won four out of the last seven matchups in the series.
Bruce Pearl is now 13-15 lifetime versus Florida in his head coaching career, including 5-10 at Auburn. Meanwhile, Florida head coach Todd Golden is now 3-2 against Auburn.
Miscellaneous:
Bruce Pearl is 19-14 lifetime in the NCAA Tournament including 9-4 at Auburn.
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Patrick is a junior from Auburn, Alabama, double majoring in journalism and marketing. He started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2022.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @patrickabingham
