Gators Hit the Road for Friday Contest at Georgetown
Wednesday, November 26, 2014 | Women's Basketball
Florida is set to hit the road for the second time this season, as the Gator women's basketball team plays at Georgetown in McDonough Arena on Friday, Nov. 28, where tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
Florida (3-1) will try to hand the Hoyas (2-4) their first home loss of the season, as Georgetown is a perfect 2-0 in Washington, D.C.
These two programs last met a season ago on Dec. 28, 2013, when the Gators overcame a 16-point halftime deficit and completed the fourth-largest comeback win in program history with a 67-65 overtime victory in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Prior to that contest, UF and Georgetown last played on Dec. 7, 1997, when Florida topped GU, 74-63, in the Hoyas' house.
The Gators are 3-1 all-time against the Hoyas and 1-0 under head coach Amanda Butler.
VIDEO (FREE): Head coach Amanda Butler, Haley Lorenzen and Cassie Peoples talk about Tuesday's win over Charleston Southern and what the team needs to improve upon moving forward: http://www.gatorvision.tv/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=3561404&db_oem_id=6500
Stat Watch
· Rebounding could play a major role in Friday's game and the edge might go to the Hoyas. In GU's two victories, the Hoyas are averaging 55 rebounds per game and have collected at least 10 more boards than their opponents in each contest. In UF's three wins, the Gators are averaging 43 rebounds per contest.
Last Timeout:
· The Gators outscored Charleston Southern, 31-4, in the final 8:34 of the first half on Tuesday night, en route to a 92-64 win over the Bucs.
· UF took advantage of CSU's lack of size, as it held a 48-27 rebounding edge, including 21 offensive boards.
· After a 2-1 start, Georgetown has lost three straight games, all in Lawrence, Kansas, this past weekend in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Challenge. GU dropped contests to Temple, Alabama and host Kansas.
Twice as Nice
· Florida and Georgetown will be meeting on the hardwood for the second time in three days on Friday, as the Gators and Hoyas men's basketball team face off at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas on Wednesday night.
Last Meeting Between UF & GU
· Jaterra Bonds scored a career-high 26 points and gave Florida its first lead of the game three seconds into overtime as the Gators overcame a 16-point halftime deficit and completed the fourth-largest comeback win in program history with a 67-65 victory against Georgetown on Dec. 28, 2013, in the O'Connell Center. The hosts had trailed at the half, 34-18.
Holding the Series Advantage
· UF has claimed three of its four previous encounters with Georgetown, including the overtime thriller last December. The Gators will be making their first trek to the Hoyas' lair since Dec. 7, 1997, a 74-63 win. Current assistant coach Murriel Page was a first-team All-American that season and helped the Orange and Blue reach the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season.
Charity Begins at the Stripe
· Florida improved its SEC-leading free-throw percentage by converting 30-of-33 (.909) attempts in the victory over Charleston Southern. The Gators were a perfect 16-for-16 in the first half against the Bucs and have now connected on 47-of-56 (.839) freebies in the second half this season.
· A pair of Gators occupy the top two spots among the SEC's free-throw leaders. Redshirt junior Cassie Peoples is No. 1 at .941 (16-of-17) and junior January Miller is right on her heels at No. 2 with a .933 (14-of-15) percentage. The duo combined for a 9-for-9 effort on Tuesday.
Stop, Thief!
· The Gators have totaled 29 more steals than their opponents, 58-29, and have enjoyed the advantage in each game this year. After a season-high 20 thefts in the romp over Longwood, the Orange and Blue added 19 more steals on Tuesday night. Thanks to a career-high seven thefts against Charleston Southern, redshirt junior Carlie Needles is the team leader with 11, and 10 of the 11 players who have seen action for Florida have at least one steal.
Size Matters
· Florida has dominated opponents inside of the paint to the tune of a 188-96 margin. In fact, the Gators have limited their last three opponents, Longwood, St. John's and Charleston Southern, to 22 points or less apiece down low.
Battling on the Boards
· The Gators are +8 in rebounding margin this season after a 48-27 edge on the glass Tuesday night. Remarkably, all 10 players who suited up for the Orange and Blue against Charleston Southern had at least one carom.
Florida (3-1) at Georgetown (2-4)
McDonough Arena (2,500)
Washington, D.C.
Fri., Nov. 28, 2014 * 7 p.m. ET
Game Notes (PDF)
· Florida: http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/women/stats/notes/pre/20141128190000.pdf
· Georgetown: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/gu/sports/w-baskbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/release/release.pdf
Game Coverage & More!
· Radio: LIVE on ESPN850 (WRUF-AM) in Washington, D.C. with Adam Schick & Brittany Davis
· Internet Audio: LIVE through www.GatorZone.com (FREE)
· Television: none
· Internet Video: LIVE on GU Hoyas Videos (FREE) (http://www.guhoyas.com/collegesportslive/?media=472374)
· Internet Scoring: Game Tracker
Opening Tip
· The all-time series between UF and Georgetown belongs to the Gators, 3-1.
· The last meeting between the Gators and the Hoyas occurred at the O'Connell Center on Dec. 28, 2013. UF took down GU, 67-65, in overtime.
For all of the latest information on Florida women's basketball:
Official Website: www.gatorzone.com/basketball/women
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FloridaWomensBasketball
Twitter: @GatorZoneWBK and @CoachButlerUF
Instagram: @gatorzonewbk
