Florida
FORT MYERS, Fla. (03/21/2026) — A last-second three-pointer from Alvaro Folgueiras sealed a dramatic 73-72 victory for the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivering a heartbreaking end to the season for the Florida Gators on Saturday night at Benchmark International Arena.
In a contest that featured five lead changes and five ties, the Gators overcame a 12-point second-half deficit to take a late lead before Folgueiras connected on the game-winner with just four seconds remaining on the clock.
How It Happened
The game was a tightly contested affair from the opening tip. Florida guard Boogie Fland opened the scoring with a driving layup, and an early three-pointer from Xaivian Lee gave the Gators a 7-6 edge. The teams traded baskets throughout the first half, with neither squad able to build a significant advantage. A three from Iowa's Alvaro Folgueiras at the 15:04 mark knotted the score at 11-11.
Iowa created some separation midway through the period, but Florida consistently found answers. A three from Urban Klavzar, assisted by Alex Condon, cut the Hawkeyes' lead to 26-23 with just over four minutes left in the half. The Gators continued to chip away, and a thunderous alley-oop dunk by Condon off a pass from Fland brought Florida within two points at 31-29. Iowa's Kael Combs hit a floating jump shot with eight seconds left to give the Hawkeyes a narrow 33-31 lead heading into halftime.
Iowa came out of the break with an offensive surge. A three-pointer by Tavion Banks was followed by two deep shots from Cooper Koch, part of an extended run that ballooned the Hawkeyes' lead to 51-39 with 14:13 remaining.
Facing their largest deficit of the night, the Gators mounted a furious comeback. Thomas Haugh started the rally with a three-pointer, and Florida methodically clawed its way back. A dunk from Alex Condon cut the lead to 55-51, and a Xaivian Lee three-pointer made it a one-point game, 57-56, with 8:19 to play. Moments later, an Isaiah Brown dunk tied the game at 58-58, and another Condon dunk gave Florida its first lead of the second half, 60-58, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The final seven minutes were a back-and-forth thriller. The lead changed hands multiple times, with big shots from both sides. A Haugh three put Florida up 63-61 before Koch answered with another three to reclaim the lead for Iowa. Trailing 69-68, the Gators rallied one last time to take a 72-70 lead in the final minute, setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion.
Turning Point
With the game on the line and seconds ticking away, Iowa executed the decisive play. After Florida took a 72-70 lead, the Hawkeyes advanced the ball for a final possession. Bennett Stirtz found an open Alvaro Folgueiras, who calmly knocked down a 22-foot three-point jumper with just four seconds left. The shot gave Iowa a 73-72 lead and left the Gators without enough time for a quality response, ending the game in stunning fashion.
Star of the Game
In a losing effort, Florida's Alex Condon delivered a masterful performance. The forward was the catalyst for the Gators' offense all night, finishing with a game-high 21 points while adding five rebounds and a team-high seven assists. Condon was efficient from the floor and made several crucial plays during Florida's second-half comeback, including two powerful dunks that energized the team and the arena. Thomas Haugh also had a standout game for the Gators with 19 points and six rebounds.
For the victorious Hawkeyes, Tavion Banks led a balanced scoring attack with 20 points and six rebounds. Four Iowa players scored in double figures, with Cooper Koch's 12 points, all on three-pointers in the second half, proving critical to building their lead.
What It Means
The loss marks a difficult conclusion to the 2026 season for the Florida Gators. The team showed significant fight in erasing a double-digit deficit but ultimately fell just short. The performances from Condon, Haugh, and Lee provide a strong core and a positive outlook for the future. The game was statistically even, with both teams shooting 50% or better from the field and grabbing 27 rebounds each, highlighting the razor-thin margin that decided the outcome.
For the Iowa Hawkeyes, the victory is a significant one, showcasing their offensive firepower and clutch execution under pressure. Advancing after such a hard-fought road game provides considerable momentum as they continue their season.