Florida Gators
Virginia
Women's Hoops Tops Virginia; Wins State Farm Class
Monday, December 30, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Four Gators scored in double figures to lead the University of Florida women's basketball team to its second straight come from behind victory of the weekend, defeating Virginia 81-68 Sunday in the championship game of the State Farm Classic at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. The Gators (8-4) were forced to rally from a 12-point deficit with 15:32 remaining in the game to claim their 11th State Farm Classic title in the 13-year history of the event.
"This team has shown me that they are bearing down and have a refuse to lose attitude," head coach Carolyn Peck said. "The running we have done in practice really pays off and they are able to dig down and find a little bit more."
"Sometimes players hit the wall and then they fall back. These players are learning how to get to that wall and bust through it."
The Gators advanced to the championship game after rallying from a 15-point second-half deficit in the first round against Massachusetts on Saturday.
Freshman Bernice Mosby earned Most Valuable Player honors after combining for 30 points and 26 rebounds in the two-day tournament. Mosby finished Sunday's game with 13 points and eight rebounds, scoring nine in the second half to help UF rally to victory.
Senior Courtney Cooper was also named an All-Tournament team selection after contributing 16 points and 10 rebounds in the championship game, including nine points and nine rebounds in the second half en route to posting her fourth career double-double. Freshman guard Danielle Santos scored 16 points, including 12 in the second half after shooting 3-for-5 from the field and making 9-of-10 from the foul line. Sophomore guard Tishona Gregory added 12 points and four steals for Florida.
Virginia (5-5) opened the second half with a 10-3 run to extend a 37-32 halftime lead to 12 points, 47-35, with 15:32 remaining. But Danielle Santos and Gregory rallied the Gators to outscore the Cavaliers 46-21 for the rest of the game. During that stretch, Santos scored 12 points and Gregory 10, as Mosby added nine points and Sarah Lowe netted eight.
During the final 10 minutes of the game when UF outscored UV 31-13, freshman guard Sarah Lowe made a three-point basket to cut Virginia's lead to 56-55 with 8:50 to go in the game. Gregory came down on the next Gator possession and knocked down a shot right inside the three-point line to give Florida a 57-55 lead with 8:15 minutes to go. The Cavaliers came back to take a 62-57 lead, but the Gators answered as Gregory stole the ball from LaTonya Blue and made a layup at the other end of the court to cut Virginia's lead to one. Florida took the lead with 4:53 left after Lowe made a jumper. The Gators never trailed again as they went on a 17-6 run to end the game.
Florida scored the first five points of the game before Virginia tallied the next five to even the score. The teams traded baskets for the ensuing two minutes before the Cavaliers staged a 6-0 run behind four points from Cherrise Graham, who finished with a game-high 24 points. Danielle Santos answered with a pair of back-to-back jumpers and the next nine minutes were extremely close with five lead changes and two tied scores. But Virginia closed the half on a 15-9 run to go into the lockerroom leading the Gators 37-32.
Other participants named to the State Farm All-Tournament team included: Cherrise Graham (Virginia), Jennifer Butler (UMass), Tabitha Pool (Michigan) and Brandi Teamer (Virginia).
The Gators now enjoy an 11-day break before resuming competition. Florida travels to Ole Miss on January 9 to play its SEC opener.
END OF REPORT
