Gators Hosts Alabama on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Saturday, January 12, 2008 | Women's Basketball
After a two-game road trip, the Gators return to the friendly confines of the O'Connell Center to play host to Alabama in the team's SEC home opener.
The Gators are coming off of Thursday's heartbreaking 60-58 loss at Kentucky, where Florida had two offensive possessions in the final 12 seconds of the game, but couldn't connect on the game-winner and had its seven-game win streak snapped.
Alabama has won its last two games and five of its last six, with that entire run coming at home in Coleman Coliseum. The Tide have not played away from Tuscaloosa since its loss at UT Chattanooga on December 15, 2007.
Home Sweet Home
Ten of Florida's 11 wins this season have come within the friendly confines of the O'Connell Center. The Gators sport a 10-1 record this year in Gainesville, where they have won seven consecutive games since the 81-78 setback to then-No. 20 Florida State on November 23rd.
The seven-game home win streak is tied for the sixth-longest in program history.
A win on Sunday against Alabama would tie for the fifth-longest run, equaling the stretch from Feb. 14, 2002 to Jan. 12, 2003 that was ended by Georgia.
The last time Florida won seven consecutive home games, Alabama halted the streak with an 86-81 decision on Feb. 16, 1997.
The Florida-Alabama Series
Alabama leads the 46-game series, 26-18. Florida has won the last two meetings against the Crimson Tide, including last year's 66-64 thriller in Tuscaloosa, where Marshae Dotson hit the game-winner with less than a minute to play.
The Gators have won the last four games against Alabama played in Gainesville, with the Tide's last win in the O'Connell Center a 75-73 decision on February 15, 1999.
Florida's 46-game series against Alabama is the third-most versus any other team in program history, with only battles with Florida State (64 games) and Georgia (50 games) seeing more court time.
Scouting Alabama
Alabama is coming off an impressive 65-54 victory over South Carolina in its SEC opener. The Crimson Tide avenged last year's 60-point defeat to the Gamecocks and appear ready to turn the corner in the SEC after snapping their 19-game losing streak against league foes.
In the win against South Carolina, the Tide rolled out to a 26-9 lead in the first 11-plus minutes of the game and never looked back. Camilla Blands, Talisha Chandler and Tamara Williams each tallied a double-figure scoring effort, as seven players contributed offensively. Alabama held a 35-29 rebounding advantage and shot a season-high 55.8 percent from the floor, helping the Tide offset 20 turnovers.
Five of Alabama's eight losses have been by single digits, with three of those by four points or less.
Tide Watch
Tierney Jenkins contributes 12.6 points and leads a very balanced scoring attack that features six players averaging at least 7.4 points per game. Jenkins also collects 7.8 rebounds per game, while Talisha Chandler holds top rebounding honors with 9.1 per outing (fifth-best in the SEC), helping the Tide out-rebound their opponents by a +8.6 margin.
Who's Hot?
In Florida's last TWO games:
*Marshae Dotson is averaging 21 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 60 percent (18-30) from the floor. She tied her career-high of 26 points in Thursday's loss at Kentucky, when she also collected 12 rebounds to net her sixth double-double of the year.
In Florida's last FOUR games:
*Sharielle Smith is contributing 10.3 points with 8.0 rebounds, hitting 50 percent (14-28) from the field.
*Lonnika Thompson has dished 12 assists with just six turnovers during the last four games, while adding 4.8 points.
Game Day Information
What: Game 17: Florida (11-5, 0-1 SEC) hosts Alabama (8-8, 1-0)
When: Sunday, January 13, 2008 * 2 p.m., ET
Where: Gainesville, Fla. * Stephen C. O'Connell Center (12,000)
Radio: LIVE on WRUF AM850 in Gainesville - audio simulcast on Cox Channel 96 with Babik & Steve Russell
Internet Audio: LIVE thru GatorZone.com (FREE of charge)
GatorVision Online (Internet Video): delayed next day per SEC television contractual agreements
Television: none
Post-Game Satellite Feed: Jan. 13: Time: 17:15-17:30 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 Truck Trouble #: 352- 392- 8043
Tickets: Reserved Seating - $5.00; General Admission - $4 Adults & $2 youth age 17 & under; UF Students are FREE
Game Day Hoopla
*Dodge Drawstring Backpack Giveaway – The first 1,000 fans will receive drawstring backpacks courtesy of Dodge.
*Gator FunZone – Kids 12 and under can play in the Gator bounce house and can participate in interactive games!
*Gator WBB Alumni Reunion – All Gator Women's Basketball Alumni have been invited to the game and will receive free admission passes. All attending alumni will be recognized during the game.
*Oaks Mall Shoppers' Reward Day – Shoppers who purchased items from the mall with a value of $250 or more (during a 2-week time period in December) can show their receipts at the mall customer service desk to receive two free admission coupons to the game.
*Youth Day – Area youth groups (scouts, YMCAs, Big Bro/Big Sis, MLK Center, O2B Kids) have been given free admission coupons for them and a guest. The women's team will host a post-game clinic for kids who RSVP (To RSVP call 800-34-GATOR, ext. 6600). There will be free pizza and soda for kids who participate in the clinic.
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