The script for a frustrating Florida loss was half-written at halftime. The Gators had been thrown off their game by dozens of whistles, seen a small lead ceded to the hungrier and burlier team, and generally lost their grip on a game they were competing hard to win.
After halftime, Florida flipped that script — and upended West Virginia, 85-80, for a victory that brands the Gators as an NCAA Tournament-caliber team.
Colin Castleton had 21 points, seven rebounds, and five blocks, and four threes helped Noah Locke score 19 points, but all 11 Gators who played scored, with depth helping them erase a five-point halftime deficit in a grueling game that featured 45 fouls and 61 free throws.