Junior forward Marshae Dotson (Columbus, Ohio) turned in a game-high 20 points and 14 rebounds, but No. 8 LSU maintained a double-digit first-half lead to defeat the University of Florida women's basketball team, 85-71, on Sunday at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
“I am very proud of our effort today,” Florida head coach Amanda Butler said. “Don't misunderstand me when I say that I am very proud of our effort because this was in no way a moral victory because we didn't get blown out or something like that. We played a very good team and woke up and realized how good of a team we were in the second half and that showed up in our effort with our passion and our energy. We had tremendous leadership from our upperclassmen."
Four Gator starters posted double figures, including Dotson, who registered her eighth double-double of the season and finished six points shy of a career high. Dotson, who trailed only LSU's Sylvia Fowles in rebounds in SEC games, pulled down a game-high 14 boards, marking her highest output since registering 15 versus Florida State on Nov. 23.
Dotson finished 6-of-15 from the field and 8-of-10 at the free-throw line. The junior is 14 points shy of becoming the 20th Gator to reach the 1,000-point milestone.
“We had tremendous leadership from our upperclassmen. We had kids that were not backing down from significant challenges," Butler said. “On the top of the list is Marshae Dotson with a double-double against one of the best post players in the country if not the best (Sylvia Fowles). So, I am exceptionally proud. I think we leave here today a more confident team about the level we can compete at, but we are in no way satisfied because we came up short.”
Senior guard Depree Bowden (Palmetto, Fla.) chipped in 15 points, and junior guard Sha Brooks (Jackson, Tenn.) added 12 points. Florida shot 38 percent from the field on 21-of-55 shooting, while LSU (18-3, 7-0 SEC) finished 46 percent from the field after connecting on nearly 60 percent of its shots in the first half.
Florida 14-8, 3-4 SEC) did out-rebound the SEC's second-leading rebounding team, 39-36, and the Gators managed to make a season-high 24 free throws on 28 attempts for 86 percent. Florida's 71 points also is the second most allowed by LSU this season, with only Maryland's 75-point effort greater.
LSU built a 12-1 lead in the first four minutes as the Gators missed their first four shots from the field. Sophomore guard Jennifer Mossor (Orlando, Fla.) buried a 3-pointer at the 15:36 mark in the first half to break the dry spell, and UF reeled off five straight points to cut the deficit to 15-11 with 13:31 remaining.
The Tigers put together a 7-0 spurt in the next four minutes, but the Gators hung tough on back-to-back buckets from sophomore forward Sharielle Smith (Bradenton, Fla.) and Dotson to pull within eight at the 7:38 point in the first half.
However, LSU took control of the game in the final 10 minutes of the first half to take a 45-28 lead at halftime. Florida shot only 35 percent from the field, while the Tigers took advantage of their 3-point strength with a 6-of-13 effort into the locker room.
Florida trimmed the lead under 20 points with 8-4 run of its own that started at the 7:10 mark in the second half. Brooks and sophomore guard Lonnika Thompson (New Orleans, La.) buried consecutive 3-point shots, and the Gators turned up their defensive pressure that forced LSU into a couple of turnovers. For Brooks, it marked the 143rd made 3-pointer of her career moving her into sole possession of third place on UF's all-time career list.
A jumper by Bowden and a free throw from Dotson at the 4:37 mark brought Florida within 16 points, 74-58, forcing LSU to make a four-player substitution as the Gators inched closer. The teams traded points and even got within 15 with 2:47 to go, and then cut the deficit to 14 twice in the final minute, but LSU's first-half margin was too much to overcome despite Florida's hard-fought second-half effort when the Gators out-scored the Lady tigers, 43-40.
LSU was led in scoring by senior guard Quianna Chaney, who scored 13 of her 19 points in the opening half. Fowles added nine points and three rebounds before exiting early in the second half after re-aggravating a knee injury, playing 18 minutes in the game.
Florida next plays host to Auburn at 7 p.m. Thursday in the O'Connell Center. The radio broadcast of the game can be heard live in Gainesville on WRUF-AM850 and thru www.GatorZone.com, the official website of the Florida Gators.
The game is part of the national WBCA "Think Pink Initiative" to bring awareness to breast cancer and all fans wearing pink receive $1 general admission.
Florida vs. LSU Post-Game Quotes
February 3, 2008
Florida Head Coach Amanda Butler
Opening Statement
“I am very proud of our effort today. Don't misunderstand me when I say that I am very proud of our effort because this was in no way a moral victory because we didn't get blown out or something like that. We played a very good team and woke up and realized how good of a team we were in the second half and that showed up in our effort with our passion and our energy. We had tremendous leadership from our upperclassmen. We had kids that were not backing down from significant challenges. On the top of the list is Marshae Dotson, who had a double-double against one of the best post players in the country if not the best. So, I am exceptionally proud. I think we leave here today a more confident team about the level we can compete at, but we are in no way satisfied because we came up short."
Florida Senior Depree Bowden
On trying to overcome the slow start:
“We were doing it in four-minute increments. We just can't start like that. When you are playing a great team like LSU, it's hard to come back.”
LSU Head Coach Van Chancellor
Opening Statement
“Give Florida credit for coming back. They did a nice job. Coach (Amanda) Butler really had them playing hard and playing tough. They were down 20-something and had a lot of fight about them. But Every game I've seen them this year they've had a lot of fight about them. They've got a lot of scrap. I can remember when she (Coach Butler) played here (at UF) and she was gritty and tough and this team has exactly her personality. I think she's done a great job. She'll be a strong candidate for Coach of the Year.”
On the status of senior center Sylvia Fowles injury
“Sylvia's knee is getting treatment. She's not here. She could've played but I didn't want to take a chance. For those that don't know, she hurt her knee December 19th and missed three games and we've had her back. That's the first problem we've had and I didn't want to take a chance. If it (the lead) would've gotten down to 10, I would've put her back in.”
END OF REPORT
