Women's Basketball Hosts Belmont Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Monday, November 28, 2011 | Women's Basketball
The Gators return home on Tuesday after a successful two-game stint in the Big Apple, playing host to Belmont in the O'Connell Center beginning at 7 p.m.
Tuesday's game is the lone home appearance for Florida during a six-game stretch and won't play before its loyal fans in Gainesville again until December 20 in the first round of the Gator Holiday Classic.
After playing its first four games of the year at home, Florida (5-1) made its first road trip of the season, traveling to Brooklyn to participate in the Courtyard LaGuardia Turkey Classic hosted by Long Island University. There the Gators defeated a pair of teams from the Atlantic 10 Conference, dropping La Salle (85-74) and Charlotte (82-73). LIU also won its two games during its home tournament and shared the event title with the Gators.
UF's Lanita Bartley and Jennifer George were selected to the All-Tournament Team. For Bartley, it was her first-ever recognition to an All-Tournament Team.
Belmont (1-5) earned its first win of the season in its most recent outing, defeating Indiana State, 69-59, at home on Sun., Nov. 27. The Bruins haven't shied away from tough competition, having already played at Auburn and against Indiana.
“We play a Belmont team that finally notched that first win under their belt,” UF head coach Amanda Butler said. “They play really hard and are feeling good about themselves now. We have to stay focused on continuing to improve.”
The Bruins are led by second-year coach Brittany Ezell, who Gator fans are sure to remember as a standout SEC performer for Alabama in the late 1990s. Senior center Haley Nelson has been the Bruins All-Everything player this season, leading the club in scoring (13.2 ppg), rebounding (7.3 rpg), field goal percentage (50.0%), blocked shots (13 total) and steals (10).
“They are a young team in some of their guard spots,” Butler continued. “They have a center in Haley Nelson who gives them tremendous inside presence and consistent scoring on the low block which seems to be unique to basketball these days. They are very well coached, I have a lot of respect for Brittany Ezell and what she's doing with that program. They are building momentum, they are playing great teams and they've played a lot of road games so they've been battled tested and will be ready to come into the O'Connell Center. They are very good shooters. What's scary about them is that they are a very good shooting team, but they haven't shot the ball great yet so they're due in a sense.”
Junior forward Jennifer George is averaging 15.8 points and 10.2 rebounds over UF's last five games, shooting 67.3 percent from the floor during the five wins. She scored in double-figures in four of those games, marking the first time in her career she has tallied three consecutive double-figure scoring marks, never mind four. George set a personal best with 15 rebounds in the victory against La Salle. Overall, George is contributing 13.2 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 66.0 percent from the field.
Senior Jordan Jones is quietly averaging 14.0 points per game, while dishing 10 assists and collecting eight steals. She fired a Gator-career-high 28 points in the win against La Salle (Nov. 25), sinking six treys.
Senior Lanita Bartley led Florida at the Courtyard LaGuardia Turkey Classic last weekend, averaging 22.0 points and 8.0 rebounds, while hitting 16-of-17 free throws in the two wins. Overall, the point guard is contributing 12.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
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WATCH game preview video with seniors Lanita Bartley and Ndidi Madu – FREE courtesy GatorVision Online
Gameday Information
Florida Gators (5-1, 0-0 SEC) host the Belmont Bruins (1-5, 0-0 Atlantic Sun)
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - 7 pm ET
Stephen C. O'Connell Center (11,373) - Gainesville, Fla.
Game Coverage & More!
Radio: LIVE on WBXY-FM 99.5 “The Star” in Gainesville called by Adam Schick and Brittany Davis
Internet Audio: LIVE thru www.GatorZone.com (FREE)
Internet Video: www.GatorVision.tv (subscription required)
Internet Scoring: LIVE thru www.GatorZone.com (FREE)
Television: none
Tickets: $5 for reserved seats; $4 adult general admission; $2 for youth age 17 and under; FREE for UF and Santa Fe students
Parking: FREE in the O'Connell Center parking lot
Opening Tip
*Tuesday will be the first-ever meeting between Florida and Belmont
*The game is UF's last home appearance until Dec. 20
*Lanita Bartley averaged 22.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in UF's last two games
*UF has played 40 games over the last two-plus seasons decided by 10 points or less
*UF is scheduled to play 18 games vs. 2011 postseason teams
Additional Hoopla For Thursday's Game
Tuesday, November 29 vs. Belmont * 7 p.m.
Presenting sponsor: WIND-FM
*Techno Tuesday: Join us for a night of Techno! The game will feature a “techno” atmosphere complete with techno/electronic/dance music and a techno giveaway!
*Glow in the Dark Wristband Giveaway: The first 1,000 fans will receive a free glow in the dark wristband for Techno Tuesday!
