Florida Gators
Miami Suns (Exh.)
Women's Basketball Wins Final Exhibition Game, 96-63
Tuesday, November 15, 2005 | Women's Basketball
The University of Florida women's basketball team closed its second and final exhibition game on a 16-1 run while forcing 24 turnovers in a 96-63 victory over the Miami Suns Monday night at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
UF senior Brittany Davis (Gainesville, Fla.) was one of three Gators to reach double-digits prior to halftime with 13, while Sha Brooks (Jackson, Tenn.) totaled 11 and Danielle Santos (Marietta, Ga.) added 10 en route to a 42-31 Florida advantage at the break.
The UF trio finished with 25, 21 and 12 points respectively to lead the Gators in scoring on the night. Sophomore Depree Bowden (Palmetto, Fla.) added 10 points in the contest to round out the Gators in double-figures.
“We always like to win,” UF head coach Carolyn Peck said. “We set three main goals this season that we are looking to accomplish every game. They are to win the war on the boards, score more points than the other team and stay under 13 turnovers.
“We went three turnovers over our goal of 13, but we won the other two.”
A stifling Florida defense forced 16 turnovers in the game's first 20 minutes and scored 17 of its first 42 points off those possession changes. The traveling squad from South Beach made their last field goal of the evening at the 5:16 mark on a three-pointer from Yolanda McCormick.
The Suns were able to stay within striking distance for a majority of the first half thanks to six treys made, including back-to-back three-pointers by Alana Tanksley to cut the UF lead to 20-16 with 11:18 remaining.
“Our intensity on defense concerns me,” Peck said. “We gave too many looks inside, and they had too many open looks on the outside. I have to remind the girls that we're not just getting ready for the next team. We're also trying to get ready for January and the conference schedule.”
While the Suns were concerned with using three-pointers to pull themselves back in the game, the Gators used their height advantage underneath the basket, pulling down 19 (56-37) more rebounds than the Suns. Dalila Eshe (Tallahassee, Fla.) and Davis each grabbed a game-high nine boards. Florida also outscored Miami's exhibitioners 52-22 in the paint.
“I like our depth right now,” Peck added. “I like our balance on offense. We have some film study to work on, and we have to get more disciplined on defense.”
The Gators open the regular season on Friday, November 18 against St. Francis (NY) College in the first round of the Seton Hall Classic in South Orange, N.J.
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