UF WBB Hosts Defending SEC Champion Auburn Thursday
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 | Women's Basketball
The Gators play their first conference home game of the season, welcoming defending Southeastern Conference champion Auburn to the O'Connell Center on Thursday evening, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
The game will be televised live on Comcast Sports South (CSS) television, which airs in Gainesville on Cox Cable's channel 259, part of the upgraded sports package. The radio broadcast can be heard locally on WBXY-FM The Star 99.5, and through the internet at www.GatorZone.com.
Florida rides a season-best three-game winning streak into Thursday's contest, coming off a hard-fought 59-53 victory at Arkansas to begin league play, the Gators' first road league-opening win since the 2004-05 season.
Florida has won five of its last six games, during which the Gators have outscored their opponents, 71.3-55.5 (a scoring margin of +15.8), and held a +5.2 rebounding margin.
On the other side, Auburn has lost its last two games on the heels of six-game winning streak. The Tigers dropped decisions at San Diego State (66-55, on Dec. 30) and at home to Mississippi State (73-58, Jan. 3). Auburn has played seven of its 14 total games away from home, posting a 4-3 record in those contests.
The Tigers hold a 30-14 lead in the all-time series, including a 10-7 record in games played in Gainesville, where Florida's last win against Auburn occurred - 73-67 on Feb. 7, 2008. The Tigers have won four of the last five games in the series, including last year's meeting on The Plains, 81-65,
Junior guard Alli Smalley leads Auburn offensively, scoring 14.8 points per game, while hitting 22 three-pointers, dishing 43 assists and coming away with 17 steals. There's no denying the biggest presence on the court, however, is 6-foot-7 senior KeKe Carrier, who averages 13.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and has blocked 30 shots this season.
“Auburn is a tremendous rebounding team and is well coached. They are the defending SEC champions and while graduation losses come into play, when you have a team that was the best in the league, there are players like Alli Smalley who have experienced nothing else but winning,” UF head coach Amanda Butler said. “It's important that we defend our home court more than anything. We're coming off a big road win and I tell our team that a road win counts double, but only when you defend your home court. This is a big opportunity and a big challenge for us.”
Three Gator post players have led the way over the last four games, with sophomore Azania Stewart (Wood Green, England) averaging 12.6 points on 24-of-34 shooting for a 70.6 percent clip. Included in that average is a pair of career-high 18 point performances (vs. Southern on Dec. 20 and vs. Ohio on Dec. 28). Senior Sharielle Smith (Bradenton, Fla.) is contributing 8.8 points and 8.6 rebounds, while freshman Jennifer George (Orlando, Fla.) is adding 8.6 points and 6.8 rebounds during that span.
Also during UF's last four games, sophomore guard Jordan Jones (Suwanee, Ga.) hit 38.5 percent (10-26) from beyond the three-point arc. Jones leads UF overall with 11.2 points, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals and has converted at least one three-pointer in all 14 games this year, tied for the seventh longest streak in program history. Smith is the Gators' rebounding leader with 7.6 per game, in addition to 9.2 points. Stewart contributed 7.7 points overall, shooting an SEC-leading 66.7 percent from the floor.
Game Day Information
What: Florida (8-6, 1-0 SEC) hosts Auburn (9-5, 0-1 SEC)
When: Thursday, January 7, 2010 * 7 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 CSS (airing on Comcast Sports South television, channel 259 in Gainesville) with Matt Stewart and Brittany Jackson
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 Thursday's Game
• Gator FunZone – Children can enjoy the poster-making station, games and face-painters!
• Gator Spirit Night – Wear your best Gator gear and show the most Gator spirit for chances to win prizes. There will be prizes for the best sign (materials provided at the game), best make-up and best Gator outfit!
• UF Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night – Postcards have been sent to all UF Faculty and Staff members through campus mail. The postcard is good for one free general admission.
• Pepsi's Are You Smarter Than a Florida Gator – One (1) randomly selected fan will have the opportunity to answer 3 questions pop culture questions posed by various Gainesville Community members, if they answer two out of three, they will win a prize pack courtesy of Pepsi.
-UF-
