Gators Set to Compete against St. John's at FIU Thanksgiving Classic
Thursday, November 26, 2009 | Women's Basketball
The University of Florida women's basketball team will try and carry its momentum from a big win and sizzling shooting performance its last time on the court into the FIU Thanksgiving Classic, where the Gators meet St. John's on Friday in the first round with tip-off from U.S. Century Bank Arena scheduled for 7 p.m.
Florida has won three consecutive regular-season tournaments entering the FIU Thanksgiving Classic, which begins with Saint Joseph's playing host FIU at 5 p.m. on Friday. Last year, the Gators captured the Junkanoo Jam (The Bahamas), with victories over Southern Illinois and Arizona State, before winning their own State Farm Classic, defeating Vermont and Miami (Ohio) for the title. UF also captured that same home event the previous season to begin the current streak.
The Gators (2-2) looked like a completely different team on Tuesday against UAB than the squad that traveled to play at Pitt on Nov. 20. Florida struggled with its shot all game against the Panthers, missing its first 11 three-point attempts and shot a woeful 35.6 percent (21-of-59) overall from the floor, including a 7-for-25 effort from beyond the arc during the loss. The Gators found the mark against UAB, hitting their first four shots from the floor - all three-pointers and each from a different player, en route to an impressive 56.5 (26-of-46) percent clip from the floor, including a 52.4 (11-of-21) percent clip from the 3-point arc.
In each of Florida's four games this season, four different Gators have held top team scoring honors. Jennifer George (Orlando, Fla.) took scoring honors in the season-opener, when she tallied 21 points against Stetson. Sharielle Smith's (Bradenton, Fla.) 18 points led UF against Florida State. Jordan Jones (Suwanee, Ga.) hit 14 points as the top scorer at Pitt and Steffi Sorensen's (Jacksonville, Fla.) career-high-tying 15 points was tops for the Gators against UAB.
Jones leads the Gators overall in scoring with 13.3 per game, in addition to contributing a team-leading 19 assists and 11 steals. Smith contributes 11.5 points along with a team-best 8.3 rebounds per outing, while hitting 7-of-12 from the three-point arc.
Friday's game against St. John's (3-0), which is receiving votes in the current Associated Press top-25 poll, will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Red Storm have raced past their three opponents entering the FIU tournament, with a scoring margin of 28.0 points per game. Da'Shena Stevens leads the squad with 18.0 points and 6.7 rebounds rebounds per game, while shooting 70.6 percent (24-34) from the field.
Tournament Information
What: FIU Thanksgiving Classic, Nov. 27 & 29
When: Nov. 27: Saint Joseph's (1-3) at FIU (2-2), 5 p.m., followed by Florida (2-2) vs. St. John's (3-0), 7 p.m.
Nov. 29: Consolation Game at 2 p.m., Championship Game at 4 p.m.
Where: Miami, Fla. * U.S. Century Bank Arena (5,000)
Radio: LIVE on WBXY-FM (The Star 99.5) in Gainesville with Adam Schick
Internet Audio: LIVE thru GatorZone.com (FREE of charge)
GatorVision Online: none
Television: none
Post-Game Satellite Feed: none
U.S. Century Bank Arena Press Row: 305-348-3702
-UF-
