Women's Basketball Returns Home and Hosts South Carolina Sunday at 1 pm
Saturday, January 23, 2010 | Women's Basketball
After two tough road games, the University of Florida women's basketball team returns to the friendly confines of the O'Connell Center and plays host to South Carolina on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Members of The American Red Cross International Response Fund, which is the overarching fund for the Haitian Relief Effort, will be in attendance at the game to answer questions about the relief efforts in Haiti and how Gators fans can contribute.
Special envelopes will be distributed at the game for fans considering a monetary donation, which they may take home and mail. All proceeds will go directly to the Red Cross and its efforts for Haiti. No monetary donations will be accepted at the game itself.
The last time Florida played in front of its own fans was back on Thu., Jan. 14, when the team dropped a heartbreaking 66-64 decision to then-No. 4 Tennessee. The Gators did regroup and earned a hard-fought 55-52 road victory at Mississippi State. Florida's last time on the court, however, was Thu., Jan. 21, when the Gators suffered an 82-58 loss at Alabama.
“One thing about competing in the Southeastern Conference is that you can't celebrate any win too long and you can't cry about a loss too long because every team is capable of winning on any given night,” UF head coach Amanda Butler said. “We will work on specific things we noticed from our last game to improve those areas, but we need to be ready for an extremely talented and athletic South Carolina team. They've been playing as well as any team in the conference.”
Only Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss and South Carolina have managed to win three consecutive SEC games this year. The Gamecocks, who are receiving votes in this week's Associated Press poll, earned league victories at Alabama, to Kentucky and against Auburn, before dropping a 69-52 decision at LSU on Jan. 21.
Florida holds an 18-8 record in the all-time series against South Carolina, including a 7-5 record in Gainesville. The teams met twice last season, with the Gators winning both and carry a three-game win streak in the series into Sunday's game. The Gamecocks have won two of the last three games in the O'Connell Center against the Gators.
South Carolina features one of the SEC's top perimeter players in junior transfer Valerie Nainima and one of the league's top post players in freshman Kelsey Bone. Nainima's 17.8 points per game rank third among all SEC players, while Bone is the league's leading rebounder with 9.6 per game.
Coach Butler spent part of the summer of 2009 as an assistant coach with the USA Under-19 World Championships Team that won the gold medal in Thailand and SC's Bone was a member of that team.
UF's Jordan Jones suited up for South Carolina during the 2007-08 season, transferring following her freshman year and enrolling at UF. During her lone season as a Gamecock, Jones led the team in scoring with13.1 per game, hitting 39.9 percent of her three-point tries (97-243). She even squared off three times against Florida, which won two of the three. In the Gator's loss, Jones scored a team-high 16 points, hitting 5-of-9 three-pointers for the 69-65 outcome that spoiled Senior Day for Depree Bowden. She totaled 36 points during the three games against her future team, connecting on 11-of-25 from long range (44.4%).
Jones is UF's leading scorer entering Sunday's game, contributing 10.4 points per game, while dishing 3.1 assists and collecting 1.6 steals. Senior Sharielle Smith leads the Gators on the boards, pulling down 7.1 rebounds per game, while tallying 9.0 points and hitting 38.0 percent from the three-point arc (19-50).
Over the last five games, sophomore center Azania Stewart has been UF's leading scorer with 9.8 points per game. Stewart is shooting 50 percent from the floor and 86.7 percent (13-15) from the free throw line during that span, while blocking 13 shots. Overall, Stewart is the SEC's second-leading all-games shooter with a 60.6 percent accuracy mark.
Freshman forward Jennifer George has held her own in the paint against her taller SEC counterparts, tallying 5.5 points, while leading the Gators in field goal percentage (51.9%) and ranking second for rebounding (5.8 pg) and steals (11 total).
Game Day Information
What: Florida (10-9, 3-3 SEC) hosts South Carolina (10-8, 3-3 SEC)
When: Sunday, January 24, 2010 * 1 p.m. ET
Where: Gainesville, Fla. * Stephen C. O'Connell Center (12,000)
Radio: LIVE on WBXY-FM (The Star 99.5) in Gainesville with Adam Schick & Steve Russell
Internet Audio: LIVE thru GatorZone.com (FREE of charge)
Internet Video: none
Television: LIVE on SUN Sports with Mick Hubert & Mark Wise
Post-Game Satellite Feed: none
Tickets: $5 for Reserved Seats ... $4 for Adult General Admission ... $2 for Youth age 17 & under ... FREE for UF students
Additional Hoopla for Sunday's Game
• Sun Sports Sport Wallet Giveaway – The first 1,000 fans receive sport wallets courtesy of Sun Sports.
• Family 4 Pack Sunday! – Fans can purchase 4 GA tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 sodas for only $20!
• Gator FunZone – Children can enjoy the poster-making station, games and face-painters!
• Champions of Character – Elementary & middle schools in Alachua & Marion counties have been invited to the game. Students and faculty/staff receive free admission and each school is encouraged to select up to 10 outstanding students to be recognized at halftime.
• The Villages Day – Busses will transport residents from The Villages in Ocala and bring them to the game. Residents must RSVP (352-375-4683 ext. 6600) to receive free admission.
• Men's Basketball Reward Program – Bring your ticket stub from the men's basketball game vs. South Carolina (1-23-10) to receive free admission!
• I Filled It Up Scout Challenge – All Boy Scouts (8th grade and under) in the surrounding communities have been invited to participate in the “I Filled It Up” challenge. The first 200 scouts to fill up their popcorn order form and turn it in will receive free admission to the game. Participating scouts will also be given a tour of Gator facilities, participate in team building activities, and more!
• Youth Organization Day – Members of area youth organizations may RSVP to receive free admission and reserved seating (352-375-4683 ext. 6600).
• Gator Booster Day III – All members of Gator Boosters with valid ID will be admitted to the game free of charge.
-UF-
