The University of Houston Men’s Basketball came up just shy in the national championship game in the Alamodome on Monday night. The Florida Gators chipped away at a 12-point lead to fend off the Cougars and Kelvin Sampson by a score of 65-63. (Photos by Jack Gorman)

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    Mylik Wilson #8 of the Houston Cougars walks off the court in the midst of the Florida Gators celebration.
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    Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars walks off the court after falling short of the national championship.
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    J’Wan Roberts #13 of the Houston Cougars drives to the basket.
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    Coog fans pose with an outrageous National Championship Trophy.
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    UH fans cheer on the Coogs during the National Championship Game.
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    Mylik Wilson #8 of the Houston Cougars slam dunks against the Florida Gators.
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    Mylik Wilson #8 of the Houston Cougars grabs a rebound.
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    Ja’Vier Francis #5 of the Houston Cougars blocks a shot.
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    Emanuel Sharp #21 of the Houston Cougars defends against the Florida Gators.
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    The Florida Gators played hard-nosed basketball.
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    Coog fans cheer on their team.
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    Alijah Martin #15 of the Florida Gators lays the ball up.
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    Coog fans pose in front of the Alamodome.
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    Kelvin Sampson leads his coaches to the court for the National Championship Game.
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    Kelvin Sampson and Todd Golden greet each other before the National Championship Game.
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    The Cougar Dolls perform at the National Championship Game.
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    Emanuel Sharp #21 of the Houston Cougars drives to the basket.
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    Mylik Wilson #8 of the Houston Cougars reacts after dunking against the Florida Gators.
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    Shasta hypes up the crowd.
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    J’Wan Roberts #13 of the Houston Cougars blocks a shot by Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators.
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    J’Wan Roberts #13 of the Houston Cougars blocks a shot by Alijah Martin #15 of the Florida Gators.
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    UH fans cheer on the Coogs during the National Championship Game.
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    Joseph Tugler #11 of the Houston Cougars blocks a dunk by Alijah Martin #15 of the Florida Gators.
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    J’Wan Roberts #13 of the Houston Cougars reacts after the refs do not call a foul.
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    Walter Clayton Jr. #1 of the Florida Gators blocks a shot by Emanuel Sharp #21 of the Houston Cougars.
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    UH fans cheer on the Coogs during the National Championship Game.
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    Head coach Kelvin Sampson reacts during the National Championship Game.
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    The Houston Cougars and Florida Gators huddle up.
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    L.J. Cryer #4 of the Houston Cougars shoots a free throw.
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    Rueben Chinyelu #9 of the Florida Gators slam dunks against the Houston Cougars.
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    Milos Uzan #7 of the Houston Cougars reacts during the game against the Florida Gators.
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    Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators calls for the ball as J’Wan Roberts #13 of the Houston Cougars defends.
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    Cougar cheerleader excites fans.
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    Ja’Vier Francis #5 of the Houston Cougars collects a tough rebound.
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    Ja’Vier Francis #5 of the Houston Cougars collects a rebound against the Florida Gators.
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    L.J. Cryer #4 of the Houston Cougars shoots the ball against the Florida Gators.
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    J’Wan Roberts #13 of the Houston Cougars scores a tough bucket.
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    Head coach Kelvin Sampson reacts during the game against the Florida Gators.
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    Alijah Martin #15 of the Florida Gators yells at his teammate for getting a technical foul.
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    L.J. Cryer #4 of the Houston Cougars shoots as Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators defends.
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    Emanuel Sharp #21 of the Houston Cougars loses the ball during the final seconds.
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    UH fans cheer on the Coogs during the National Championship Game.
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    Kelvin Sampson looks on from the sidelines of the National Championship Game.
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    Joseph Tugler #11 of the Houston Cougars defends as Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators looks to pass.
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    Joseph Tugler #11 of the Houston Cougars blocks a dunk by Alijah Martin #15 of the Florida Gators.
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    Emanuel Sharp #21 of the Houston Cougars reflects on the moment in the midst of the Florida Gators celebration.
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    Mercy Miller #25 of the Houston Cougars walks of the court in the midst of the Florida Gators celebration.
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    Joseph Tugler #11 of the Houston Cougars walks off the court in the midst of the Florida Gator celebration.
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    Terrance Arceneaux #23 of the Houston Cougars walks off the court in the midst of the Florida Gators celebration.
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    Florida Gators fans celebrate the national championship.
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    The Florida Gators celebrate the national championship.

Jackson is a freelance photographer and writer covering a variety of music and sporting events in the Houston area. He has contributed to the Houston Press since 2013.