Florida started four freshmen and one sophomore in its game against fifth-ranked Tennessee, and the Lady Vols experience exploited the Gators' youth in a 94-53 victory at the O'Connell Center in front of 2,646. The loss was the fourth straight for Florida (8-8, 0-4 SEC), which next hosts No. 2 LSU on Thursday.
UT senior Gwen Jackson scored a career-high 32 points on 13-of-18 shooting from the field, including a 2-of-3 effort from the 3-point line, while going 4-of-4 from the free throw line in the victory. Shanna Zolman was the only other Lady Vol in double-figures, contributing a career-high 19 points.
Three Gators finished the game scoring in double figures, with sophomore Tishona Gregory and freshman Bernice Mosby each netting 12, while freshman guard Sarah Lowe added 10 points. Rookies Dalila Eshe and Mosby both collected eight rebounds to lead Florida.
"Tennessee is a very good team and there is a reason they are ranked fifth in the country. They are a very veteran team with a lot of experience," UF head coach Carolyn Peck said. "It is good for their young players, because they have good competition everyday. Playing them is also a good experience for our young team to go through right now. You learn through experience, by getting out there and doing it, not just sitting and watching."
Tennessee (14-3, 3-0 SEC) shot 52.1 percent (37-71) from the field, including a 55.3 percent mark in the opening 20 minutes, while hitting 11-of-16 from the 3-point line. Florida managed a 32.8 percent effort, shooting a dismal 24.1 percent (7-29) in the decisive first half. The Gators were outrebounded 53-31, allowing 21 offensive boards. Florida turned the ball over 15 times in the game, but just made just four miscues in the second half, when the scoring was 42-36.
Tennessee opened the game on an 8-0 run and never looked back en route to the win. With 6:36 left in the half, sophomore guard Tishona Gregory stole the ball from Lady Vols guard Shanna Zolman, turning it into two points for UF, closing the gap to 33-11, but Tennessee headed into the locker room with a 52-17 lead at the half.
The Gators went on an 8-0 run in the beginning of the second half and scored 17 points in the first six minutes, matching their first half total.
"We came out and fought in the second half," Peck said. "We didn't fold up our tents. We had breakdowns, but the effort was there. Everyone went out there and gave their all."
"We only had four turnovers in the second half and our execution was better. I think the main thing was we got over our fear."
Florida started four freshmen and one sophomore in its eighth different line-up this season. The five freshmen combined for 34 of Florida's 53 points.
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