Iowa hits clutch 3-pointer in closing seconds to stun Florida

Timely shots and a gritty capacity helped nan Iowa Hawkeyes sound disconnected nan defending NCAA men’s hoops nationalist champion Florida Gators connected Sunday night, 73-72.

Down 2 points, Iowa inbounded nan shot to defender Bennett Stirtz who dribbled up nan level and recovered Alvaro Folgueiras successful nan corner. Folgueiras took 1 dribble backmost to make judge he was supra nan 3-point statement and nailed nan go-ahead bucket for conscionable complete 4 seconds left.

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Iowa guardant Alvaro Folgueiras (7) puts up a 3 constituent changeable against Florida during nan 2nd half successful nan 2nd information of nan NCAA assemblage hoops tourney Sunday, March 22, 2026, successful Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Folgueiras pointed to nan entity to grant his precocious father. Florida couldn’t get a last-second changeable up and Iowa won nan game. He was seen hugging his mother successful nan stands.

"It’s really special," Folgueiras said aft nan game. "We went done a batch of moments successful nan season. I’ve been successful a batch of moments successful my life. My mom is location aft fighting for maine her full life. This is really special. It’s for nan dreamers and there’s nary amended dreamers than us."

ST JOHN'S SENDS KANSAS PACKING WITH DRAMATIC BUZZER-BEATING LAYUP IN NCAA TOURNAMENT

Iowa guardant Alvaro Folgueiras (7) and Florida guardant Thomas Haugh (10) spell aft a loose shot during nan first half successful nan 2nd information of nan NCAA assemblage hoops tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, successful Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Folgueiras scored 14 points and had 5 rebounds successful nan win. Iowa prima Tavion Banks added 20 points connected 7-of-10 from nan field.

Florida’s Alex Condon led nan Gators pinch 21 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. Thomas Haugh added 19 points and Xavian Lee had 17 points.

It will beryllium nan first clip since 1999 that Iowa will beryllium capable to compete successful nan Sweet 16. In that year, J.R. Koch and nan Hawkeyes mislaid to nan Rip Hamilton-led UConn Huskies.

Florida guardant Alex Condon (21) reacts aft nan squad mislaid to Iowa during nan 2nd information of nan NCAA assemblage hoops tourney Sunday, March 22, 2026, successful Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

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Florida is nan first No. 1 seed successful nan men's tourney to fall.

The Gators will nary longer beryllium successful nan moving to beryllium repetition champions. It intends nan Dan Hurley-led UConn team remains nan only back-to-back champions since Florida began its ain dynasty successful 2006 and 2007.

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