Updated at 3:50 p.m., Friday, March 23, 2007
NCAA basketball: Florida's late surge downs Butler
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — Florida's repeat bid survived its toughest challenge yet.Al Horford had 16 points, seven rebounds and a key block in the final minute to help the top-seeded Gators hold off undersized Butler 65-57 tonight.
The Gators (32-5), trying to become the first team since Duke in 1992 to win consecutive national titles, advanced to the Midwest Regional on Sunday against the Oregon-UNLV winner.
The defending national champions trailed by as many as nine points and never found their comfort zone against the scrappy Bulldogs.
But they took control in the final two minutes — thanks mostly to Horford.
The 6-foot-10 forward converted a three-point play with 2:34 remaining, then blocked a shot with 16.3 seconds remaining. He got plenty of help, too.
Corey Brewer hit a baseline jumper with 1:43 remaining that made it 59-54. Brewer later made two free throws and finished with 11 points.
Taurean Green had 17 points, and Joakim Noah finished with 13 points and nine rebounds. Noah was 9-of-11 from the free throw line.
Pete Campbell led Butler (29-7) with 14 points. Mike Green has 12, and A.J. Graves had 11 — all in the second half.
