Junior Lonnika Thompson (New Orleans, La.) and freshman Trumae Lucas (Greensboro, N.C.) tossed in career-high scoring efforts to lead a balanced attack and the University of Florida women's basketball team to a dominating 75-34 victory over Coppin State on Wednesday evening in the O'Connell Center.
Thompson, who finished with a game-high 13 points, and Lucas, who tallied 10 points, accounted for four the Gators' 10 three-pointers, one shy of the program record from behind the arc and helped No. 23 Florida (9-1) win its ninth consecutive game.
The 41-point win was the Gators' largest this season, as Florida shot 52.7 percent from the floor (29-55), the fifth time this year the team has connected on at least half of its attempts.
The Gator defense also did its part, allowing the fewest opponent points since holding Chicago State to 30 on Dec. 20, 2000. Coppin State's 34 points tied for the second-fewest ever by a Florida opponent in a game played in Gainesville.
The Eagles (0-8) hit just 28.3 percent from the floor (15-53), including a 24.1 percent effort in the second half.
“It was an all-around team effort, especially on the defensive end,” Head Coach Amanda Butler said. “We had a great balance in scoring and minutes and some of our players had career nights. Good balance is a sign of good things to come, as we continue to move in the right direction.”
Eleven of the 14 Gators who played scored at least two points. Senior Marshae Dotson (Columbus, Ohio) tallied 10 points, with two steals and two rebounds. Freshman Lucas chipped in with a career-high 10 points, going 3-for-3 from the field and hitting 3-for-4 from the foul line. Three players tallied five rebounds apiece, as junior Sharielle Smith (Bradenton, Fla.), freshman Azania Stewart (Wood Green, England) and redshirt freshman Ndidi Madu (Antioch, Texas) each grabbed four defensive and one offensive rebound in the victory.
Thompson led the way with three steals, as the Gators tallied 15 in the game. The defense forced 25 turnovers and collected 15 steals.
Florida shot 52.6 percent from behind the arc, knocking in 10-of-19 from three-point land, as five different players chipped in at least one. UF also recorded 20 assists as a team, led by junior Jennifer Mossor's (Orlando, Fla.) five.
The Gators opened the game on a 29-9 run, which included hitting three 3-pointers to start the scoring, two coming from junior Steffi Sorensen (Jacksonville, Fla.). The threes continued to drop as Florida hit 7-of-15 (46.7 percent) in the first half, led by Sorensen's three.
“It shows that our shooters were paying attention,” Butler said of the initial shooting spree from behind the arc. “We knew they were going to come out in zone and our shooters were ready for it.”
The UF defense stifled the CSU offense, holding the Eagles scoreless for over five minutes early in the game. Coppin State only tallied 17 points in the first half, tying its season low and setting a new season-low for the Gators' defense. Florida's defense also forced 15 turnovers and racked up 10 steals during the opening 20 minutes.
Florida continued its scoring spree in the second half, knocking down its first four shots. Dotson opened with a steal and converted a layup, then followed with another to give the Gators a 30-point lead with 18 minutes still to play.
The Eagles went on an 8-0 run five minutes into the half, trying to lessen the gap, but the Gators responded with eight unanswered points, taking a 64-29 lead and earning their 12th consecutive home victory against non-conference opponents.
Florida returns to the court on Wednesday, Dec. 12, when the team plays host to Florida A&M (4-2), with tip-off from the O'Connell Center scheduled for 7 p.m. The radio broadcast of the game can be heard live in Gainesville on WRUF-AM850 and through the internet at www.GatorZone.com, the official website of the Florida Gators.
Fans who bring new or slightly used clothing or coats to donate to area organizations will receive free admission for them and a guest.
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