The University of Florida women's basketball team shot the ball with better accuracy and outrebounded Ole Miss by 19, but couldn't overcome 24 turnovers in a 79-72 loss to the hosting Lady Rebels in the Southeastern Conference opener for both squads.
The game was the first time the Gators (10-4, 0-1 SEC) have taken the court against their former coach Carol Ross, who coached or recruited 11 of the 14 players on UF's current roster. Ole Miss, which committed just seven turnovers during the game, extended its win streak to five games and improved to 10-5 overall.
"We win the rebounding battle and we created the opportunities we wanted to, but we threw the ball all over the gym and you can't do that if you expect to win in the SEC," UF head coach Carolyn Peck said. "SEC Basketball is a very physical game and the officials let us play, so the opportunities Ole Miss had by going to the free throw line doesn't bother me. It's when you throw the ball all over the gym and you lose your composure. In the SEC you can't afford to lose your composure."
UF shot 45.5 percent (30-66) from the floor and held a 54-35 rebounding edge in the game, but Ole Miss found its way to the free throw line 36 times compared to the seven trips by the Gators. The Lady Rebels shot 36.2 percent (25-69), hitting 9-of-18 from the three point line while canning 20-of-36 from the charity stripe.
Vanessa Hayden led UF with 22 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks, while Brittany Davis scored a career-high 16 points in the loss.
Genice Terry scored a game-high 26 points for Ole Miss, hitting 5-of-11 from the 3-point line. Armintie Price also contributed 18 points, hitting 10-of-16 from the free throw line.
The Gators committed their 14th turnover to start the second half and Ole Miss made them pay as Genice Terry canned a three-pointer to tied the game at 41-all. UF regrouped on its next two possessions and Brittany Davis scored the next two baskets, being the recipient of a Vanessa Hayden pass. Danielle Santos then followed with a pair of free throws to give the Gators a 47-41 lead with 17:21 remaining in the game. But the Lady Rebels continued their sharp shooting from the outside, as Tywanna Inmon nailed UM's seventh trey of the game and prevented UF from making a significant run.
The teams traded baskets, but the Gators couldn't stage a run because they continued committing unforced turnovers and giving the ball back to the Lady Rebels. With UF holding a 51-45 lead, Ole Miss used a 6-0 run to tie the game with 11:33 remaining. Dalila Eshe next converted a three-point play to give UF the lead again, but the Lady Rebels refused to go away and answered every point.
The Gators held a 60-57 lead after Eshe hit a short jumper, but UM scored the next five points, as Carletta Brown canned a three-pointer that gave the Lady Rebels a 62-60 lead with seven minutes remaining in the game. However, Tishona Gregory and Tashia Morehead answered with back-to-back three-pointers, as UF regained the lead, 66-62. But the Gators committed turnovers on their next five possessions and UM took advantage with an 11-0 run to build a 73-66 lead with 2:55 left.
Dalila Eshe finally ended the scoring drought with a long jumper, as UF got within five, 73-68, with 2:44 remaining. The teams continued to trade baskets, Ole Miss converted clutch shots and free throws and the Gators couldn't make up the deficit.
The teams opened the game essentially trading baskets until the Gators struck first with a 9-0 run to extend a 10-8 lead into a 19-8 advantage with just under 13 minutes remaining the first half. However the Lady Rebels exploded with four three-pointers during an 18-6 spree to take a 26-25 lead with 8:41 on the clock.
Tara Taylor, who was seeing her first significant game action since December 20, came off the bench and gave UF an offensive boost, scoring five points during a quick 7-0 run and helping the Gators to a 32-26 lead. Ole Miss rallied next with a 7-2 of its own, Genice Terry scoring all the buckets for the Lady Rebels.
UF's Vanessa Hayden scored the next two baskets of the game, hitting outside jumpers that sparked a 7-1 run that was capped by Tamia Williams' three-pointer with 1:15 left in the period. But Florida continued to be turnover prone and allowed Ole Miss to score the final four points, with Carletta Brown dribbling the length of the floor and converting an uncontested layup at the buzzer, cutting the Gator's lead at halftime to 41-38.
The Gators committed 13 turnovers in the first half, while the Lady Rebels made just two miscues. UF shot a steady 54.3 percent (19-35) compared to the 36.8 percent (14-38) effort by the home team, which hit 5-of-10 from the three-point arc. UF also dominated the paint, holding a 31-14 rebounding advantage after the initial 20 minutes.
Hayden led the seven Gators who scored, contributing 16 points with five rebounds and three blocks. UM's Terry matched Hayden's 16 points, as she hit 4-of-7 from the three-point line. Brittany Davis was UF's early offensive weapon, as she scored eight of the team's first 10 points.
The Gators next play host to Vanderbilt in the O'Connell Center on Sunday, January 11. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. ET and the first 2,000 kids age 12 and under receive free retro basketball jerseys.
END OF REPORT
