Virginia beats Texas Tech in OT thriller to win 1st national title

A year after one of the most embarrassing losses in NCAA Tournament history, Virginia has been crowned the 2019 national champions following a thrilling 85-77 overtime victory Monday over Texas Tech.

The Cavaliers were the first No. 1 seed to fall in Round 1 after losing to 16-seed UMBC in 2018. They managed to right their wrong this season with wins over Gardner-Webb, Oklahoma, Oregon, Purdue, and Auburn before clinching the title against Texas Tech.

De'Andre Hunter came up clutch down the stretch, drilling the game-tying 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining in regulation, along with a triple to put Virginia up two with 2:10 left in OT. The sophomore forward finished with 27 points and seven rebounds in the win.

Junior guard Kyle Guy was named Most Outstanding Player for the Final Four, finishing with 24 points and three rebounds against the Red Raiders.

Guy hit the game-winning free throws on Saturday to beat Auburn 63-62, sending Virginia to the program's first-ever national championship game.

This marks the third consecutive comeback for the Cavaliers when they trailed with under 12 seconds left in regulation.

Texas Tech star Jarrett Culver finished with an inefficient 15 points on 5-of-22 shooting. He added nine rebounds and six assists in the loss.

Virginia's 85-point effort is the most points the Red Raiders have given up this season. The previous high was 80 points in a February overtime win against Oklahoma State.