With just under eight minutes on the clock at the Moody Center, Texas junior forward Dailyn Swain hit a mid-range jumper to knot the game at 61-61 against No. 7 Florida. The Longhorns then forced a turnover, and after a media timeout, a crucial review turned a two-point shot into a three-pointer, nudging Texas ahead 62-61.
This wasn't just any lead-it was against the reigning national champions, and head coach Sean Miller had his eyes set on another ranked victory to bolster their March Madness credentials. Yet, this fleeting advantage was the last time Texas would lead.
As the game slipped away, Gator fans filled the arena with their signature chants, overtaking the Longhorn faithful. The Longhorns ultimately fell 71-84, letting a potential win slip through their fingers.
“Our guys really fought,” said Miller. “We were ready from the start, and we hung in there during the second half.
But in the last eight minutes, we struggled to finish. Turnovers and stops became elusive, and we lost our edge in leadership and toughness.”
Post-timeout, Texas couldn't muster the defensive stops needed. The 62-61 lead evaporated in just over a minute, with Florida surging ahead 66-64. Sophomore guard Boogie Fland was pivotal, scoring nine of Florida’s next 18 points, exploiting Texas’ defensive lapses and turnovers.
“Down the stretch, we did a great job of pushing through and wearing them down,” Florida head coach Todd Golden noted. “Our improved defense in the second half opened up transition opportunities.”
Offensively, the Longhorns were plagued by turnovers as they tried to claw back. From the 7:27 mark, they failed to hit a field goal, only managing seven points from free throws. Florida's defense was relentless, racking up 11 blocks, while Texas hurt themselves with 12 turnovers-five in the final seven minutes.
Senior guard Jordan Pope committed one of those critical turnovers, attempting a risky pass instead of opting for a safer play. “Florida’s pressure wore on us,” Miller admitted.
“You start to sense it’s not going to happen, and concentration slips. But credit to Florida-they’re a top-level defensive team.”
Now sitting at 8-7 in conference play, Texas faces challenging matchups against Texas A&M and No. 20/17 Arkansas on the road, with a home finale against Oklahoma looming.