Women's Hoops Hosts Gator Holiday Classic, Dec. 20-21
Saturday, December 19, 2009 | Women's Basketball
The University of Florida women's basketball team returns to the court after a nine-day break and plays host to its 19th annual home tournament, this year welcoming High Point, Southern U. and William & Mary to the O'Connell Center for the two-day Gator Holiday Classic beginning Sunday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.
Florida's first-round opponent is Southern, which finished second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference last year and earned a berth into the postseason WNIT. High Point, which placed second in the 2009 Big South Conference standings, takes on William & Mary in the other first-round matchup. The Gators will play the second game on Monday, regardless if it's for the championship or consolation of the tournament.
Florida aims to build on the potent offensive attack it showed against Old Dominion, earning an 81-68 victory. That win, however, took place nine days ago on Dec. 11. The Gators took the nine-day break for final exams, which got underway on Monday, Dec. 14.
The last time Florida played a game was back on Dec. 11, but the last time the Gators played a game in the O'Connell Center was on Dec. 1st – 20 days ago. That last home outing was a difficult one, as the team dropped a tough 72-71 decision to Florida A&M.
Florida's annual home tournament has traditionally featured some of the nation's finest teams and players. At least one team from the four-team field has earned an NCAA Tournament berth in 13 of the 18 years, including the 1994 field that featured all four future NCAA selections. Last year, Florida and Vermont (which went 0-2 in the Gator Classic), competed in the “Big Dance.”
Gator senior Steffi Sorensen (Jacksonville, Fla.) found her shooting stroke in the last two games, averaging 16.5 points and 6.5 rebounds - both team highs - while knocking down 62.5 percent (10-16) from beyond the arc and 57.9 percent (11-19) overall. Against Old Dominion (Dec. 11), Sorensen tallied a career-high 20 points on 6-of-9 three pointers, while collecting nine rebounds.
Ndidi Madu (Antioch, Tenn.) is coming off a career-high 16-point performance against the Lady Monarchs, while Lonnika Thompson (New Orleans, La.) dished a career-best eight assists with eight points and just two turnovers in 22 minutes of action.
Jordan Jones (Suwanee, Ga.) leads Florida overall in scoring, with 13.0 points per game, while dishing 34 assists and collecting 21 steals. Sharielle Smith (Bradenton, Fla.) has been the Gators' rebounding leader with 7.1 per game, while contributing 9.4 points per game. Sorensen averages 9.1 points and 6.8 rebounds overall.
Gator Holiday Classic Information
What: 19th Annual Gator Holiday Classic
When: Sunday & Monday, December 20 & 21, 2009
Who: Dec. 20: Florida (4-5) vs. Southern U. (6-2) - 2 p.m. followed by High Point (4-6) vs. William & Mary (5-3) - 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 21: Southern U. vs. TBA - 4:30 p.m. ... Florida vs. TBA - 7 p.m.
Where: Gainesville, Fla. * Stephen C. O'Connell Center (12,000)
Radio: LIVE on WBXY-FM (The Star 99.5) in Gainesville with Adam Schick
Internet Audio: UF games LIVE thru GatorZone.com (FREE of charge)
Internet Video: UF games LIVE thru GatorZone.com (fee-based)
Television: Dec. 20 only: LIVE on SUN Sports statewide with Mick Hubert & Mark Wise
Post-Game Satellite Feed: none for Dec. 20; Dec. 21 only: 11-11:15 p.m. ET ... Satellite: KU Band Digital Feed - Galaxy 17, Transponder 15, Slot A ... selected parameters: Downlink Freq.: 11986.5 Horizontal ... Symbol Rate: 3.9787 ... Data Rate: 5.5 ... FEC: 3/4 ... Sat Truck Trouble #: 352-392-8043
Tickets: $5 for Reserved Seats ... $4 for Adult General Admission ... $2 for Youth age 17 & under ... FREE for UF students
-UF-
