Gators Host Stetson on Monday at 7 p.m.
Sunday, November 25, 2007 | Women's Basketball
The Florida women's basketball team (3-2) returns to the court on Monday, November 26, when the Gators play host to Stetson (1-4) beginning at 7 p.m.
Game Day Gator Tales
Florida plays host to Stetson in the middle game of a three-game run against other teams from the Sunshine State.
The Gators and Hatters enter Monday's game coming off a loss, with Florida dropping a tough 81-78 decision to No. 20/21 Florida State and Stetson falling to South Florida, 86-44.
Busy Stretch
Monday will be Florida's second game in a three-day span and part of a run when the Gators will play five games in 11 days - with two of those on the road.
Five Sunshine State Foes in 2007-08
Florida lost to Florida State, 81-78, on Friday, and next travels to Jacksonville for a Wednesday contest versus the Dolphins (4-2). The Gators also play host to Florida Gulf Coast on December 4 and to Florida A&M on January 2nd to complete their five-game stint against in-state foes.
The Florida-Stetson Series
The Gators hold a 19-3 lead in the all-time series against the Hatters. Florida has won nine straight against Stetson, with the last loss coming on Nov. 29, 1988.
UF vs. Atlantic Sun Conference Teams
Stetson is the first of three teams from the Atlantic Sun Conference Florida is scheduled to play this season. The Gators also play preseason-conference favorite Jacksonville (Nov. 28) and newcomer Florida Gulf Coast University (Dec. 4).
Florida holds a 53-7 all-time record against teams from the Atlantic Sun, with the bulk of those meetings coming against Stetson and UCF (23-0).
Tough Start
Florida's first five opponents of the 2007-08 season each competed in the NCAA Tournament last season.
Monday's game against the Hatters marks the Gator's first opponent that did not compete in the NCAA Tournament last year.
Scouting Stetson
Stetson has struggled offensively this season, averaging just 51.6 points per game through five contests. Six different Hatters contribute at least five points, however, none is averaging double-figures. Freshman center Jessica Conner leads the charge with 8.0 points and a team-high 8.4 rebounds per game, while rookie Tierra Brown tallies 7.6 points, hitting a team-best six 3-pointers (42.9%).
Sharnesha Smith is one of three returning starters from last season's club. Smith contributed 10.1 points a year ago and is contributing 6.8 points with 5.4 rebounds in 2007-08.
We Meet Again
Stetson is one of seven different non-conference teams Florida will play this season that also were on last year's schedule. The Gators posted a 1-6 record versus those teams during the 2006-07 campaign, defeating Stetson, but falling to Xavier, Nebraska, Florida State, Louisville, TCU and Temple.
The 2007-08 Gators have avenged one of those losses, defeating Xavier, 82-71, on Nov. 9th, while falling to Nebraska (Nov. 17) and Florida State (Nov. 23).
Who's Hot?
On the perimeter, Depree Bowden has picked up where she left off last season, contributing a team-high 17 points with 4.0 rebounds and 17 assists. Bowden, who is the only Gator to score in double-figures in every game this season, scored a game-high 23 points in Florida's 69-63 victory over Prairie View A&M, November 20. That total was Bowden's fifth 20-point game of her career.
Junior Marshae Dotson has been the undersized work-horse in the paint again this season! The 5-11 forward is coming off a 22-point, 16-rebound effort against Florida State, posting her third double-double of the year. She has collected at least 11 rebounds in each of the last four games, has been a key reason the Gators have out-rebounded each of their first five opponents.
Sophomore Sharielle Smith is quickly making up for lost time. A projected starter at the beginning of the season, Smith was sidelined for the first two games because of injury, but has played in the last three contests and is averaging 11.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. Smith tied her career-high of 14 points in Friday's loss to Florida State.
Game Day Information
What: Game 6: Florida hosts Stetson
When: Monday, November 26, 2007 * 7 pm
Where: Gainesville, Fla. * Stephen C. O'Connell Center (12,000)
Radio: LIVE on WRUF AM850 in Gainesville - audio simulcast on Cox Channel 96 with Steve Babik & Steve Russell
Internet Audio: LIVE thru GatorZone.com (FREE of charge)
GatorVision Online: LIVE thru GatorZone.com
Television: none
Post-Game Satellite Feed: Time: 22:15-22:30 ET
Satellite: KU Band Digital Feed - Galaxy 11, Transponder 19K, Slot A
Downlink Freq.: 12066.5 Horizontal Symbol Rate: 3.9787
Data Rate: 5.5 FEC: 3/4 Sat Truck Trouble #: 352-392-8043
Tickets: Reserved Seating - $5.00; General Admission - $4 Adults & $2 youth age 17 & under; UF Students are FREE
END OF REPORT
