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Florida upsets No. 9 West Virginia 88-71 in Challenge

Matt Stamey/The Gainesville Sun

GAINESVILLE — Dorian Finney-Smith scored 24 points, Brandone Francis-Ramirez hit three huge 3-pointers and Florida upset No. 9 West Virginia 88-71 in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday.

It gave first-year Gators coach Mike White a signature win and surely will help his team's chances of making the NCAA Tournament in March.

Florida (14-7) had lost its last 12 games against top-10 teams, but put together arguably its most complete outing of the season against the Mountaineers (17-4).

Finney-Smith made 7-of-12 shots, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range, and the Gators never trailed after his first 3 off the opening tip.