COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M didn't enjoy having to fight off Florida until the very last seconds Tuesday night.
However, the 15th-ranked Aggies know that winning games like this will help them as they get deeper into the season.
Jalen Jones scored 26 and Danuel House added 22 to help the Aggies outlast Florida 71-68 for their seventh straight win.
The Gators (10-6, 2-2 SEC) never led after halftime but tied it twice and never let the Aggies pull away.
"When you get later down in conference the games are going to get even tougher, and this game right here is going to prepare us for the end of the season and for other games past that," Jones said.
Dorian Finney-Smith made a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 67-66 with 26 seconds left. Former USF standout Anthony Collins made two free throws, and Florida got within one again on Chris Chiozza's basket with 11 seconds left. The Gators were forced to foul again, and Collins made two more free throws.
John Egbunu fouled as the Gators brought the ball down the court, giving A&M (14-2, 4-0) the ball back. Chiozza's steal gave Florida a chance to tie it at the buzzer, but his shot bounced off the rim.
Finney-Smith led the Gators with 17 points and Justin Leon had 16.
NO. 11 W. VA. 74, NO. 1 KANSAS 63: Jaysean Paige had 26 points for the host Mountaineers (15-1, 4-0 Big 12), who are off to their best start since 1982, when they opened 24-1. The Jayhawks (14-2, 3-1) committed a season-high 22 turnovers, shot 42 percent from the field and scored their fewest points this season.
MICHIGAN 70, NO. 3 MARYLAND 67: Zak Irvin scored 22 for the host Wolverines, who held on when Rasheed Sulaimon missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds and stopped a nine-game winning streak by the Terrapins (15-2, 4-1 Big Ten).
NO. 7 XAVIER 84, DEPAUL 64: Trevon Bluiett had a career-high 24 points — 19 in the first half — and the host Musketeers (15-1, 3-1 Big East) took advantage of open shots on the perimeter while pulling away.
NO. 13 UVA 66, NO. 8 MIAMI 58: Malcolm Brogdon had 20 points and London Perrantes scored all his 13 in the second half as the host Cavaliers (13-3, 2-2 ACC) ended a two-game losing streak and snapped a seven-game winning streak by the Hurricanes (13-2, 2-1).
NO. 12 PROVIDENCE 50, CREIGHTON 48: Kris Dunn hit a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer and scored 16 of his 20 in the second half as the visiting Friars (15-2, 3-1 Big East) overcame a season-worst 29.6 percent shooting from the field.
NO. 14 KENTUCKY 80, MISS. ST. 74: Jamal Murray scored 22 for the Wildcats (13-3, 3-1 SEC), who have won nine straight over the Bulldogs and 12 straight league games at home.
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Explore all your optionsTEXAS 94, NO. 17 IOWA ST. 91, OT: Isaiah Taylor scored 28 for the host Longhorns, and Georges Niang badly missed a 3-pointer just before the final buzzer for the Cyclones (12-4, 1-3 Big 12).
Ex-Butler star dies
INDIANAPOLIS — Andrew Smith's basketball skills made him a fan favorite at Butler.
Teammates, coaches, family and friends knew there was a lot more to him than that.
The former Bulldogs star, who played in two national championship games, died at the age of 25 after a two-year battle with cancer. Athletic director Barry Collier spoke with Mr. Smith's family before issuing a joint statement with university president James Danko.
"What made Andrew special was the way that he genuinely cared for others," they said. "Within his large frame was an even larger heart. He is, was, and always will be a Bulldog."
Women
NO. 6 BAYLOR 69, W. VA.: 64: Alexis Jones scored 20 for the host Bears (17-1, 4-1 Big 12), and Kristy Wallace hit two free throws with 5.5 seconds left.