Florida Hosts Stetson in Part One of Gator Doubleheader Sunday at 1 p.m.
Saturday, December 13, 2014 | Women's Basketball
The Florida Gator women's basketball team (5-4) revisits the Stephen C. O'Connell Center this week, when it hosts Stetson (7-2) on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. The contest kicks off a Gator doubleheader, as the men's team takes on Jacksonville at 4 p.m.
Coming off their first loss at home this season, the Gators look to bounce back against fellow Florida squad, the Stetson Hatters, who have won three of their last four and are 4-2 on the road this season. The matchup between the two programs will be available on SEC Network+.
Sunday's contest marks the 25th meeting all-time between the two squads, with Florida possessing a 23-3 series advantage (14-1 at home, 4-0 under head coach Amanda Butler). The Gators and Hatters last tipped off in Gainesville on Nov. 14, 2011, when the home team topped the visiting Hatters, 71-57. The Gators were led by junior Jennifer George, who tied a career-high 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting and collected nine boards.
Quotes from the Court:
Florida Head Coach Amanda Butler
On improvements to be made following the loss to Wisconsin:
“There were bright spots for us. Obviously we did a much better job of taking care of the basketball than we have been, but then we let down in other areas like free throw shooting and finishing in the paint and some things that we really try to take pride in.”
Stat Watch:
· Florida and Stetson are posting similar numbers in field goal (45.3-43.6) and three-point field goal (35.8-31.0) percentage, but it may come down to the free throw line as the Gators edge the Hatters, 74.2 percent-69.0 percent. Florida sits atop the Southeastern Conference in free throw percentage, while Stetson is ranked 5th in the Atlantic Sun in that same category.
Last Time Out:
· Florida fell to 4-1 at home with its tough 51-48 loss to Wisconsin.
· Junior January Miller contributed a team-leading 12 points, shooting 2-for-4 from behind the arc, and was the Gators' top scorer for the second consecutive contest.
Final Test:
· Sunday will be the Gators' final game before taking a seven-day break to focus on their academic studies. Final exams for the 2014 UF Fall semester got underway on Saturday and will continue all next week through Friday, Dec. 19.
Stop That Streak:
· Florida enters Sunday's contest having lost its last three games, including the 51-48 decision to Wisconsin on Wednesday in Gainesville. During the three-game slide, the Gators have averaged just 52.3 points, while committing 66 turnovers and converting only 64.3 percent (27-for-42) from the free throw line, where the team has compiled an SEC-leading 74.2 percent clip that includes the numbers during the last three outings.
The Gators and Hatters:
· The Gators and Hatters will be playing each other for the 27th time and for the first time since a 71-57 UF win in Gainesville on Nov. 14, 2011. Kayla Lewis is the only current Gator who played in that game and scored eight points in the 14-point victory.
The Series:
· Florida sports a 23-3 overall record against Stetson and has won 13 consecutive games in the series. The last Stetson win versus UF was on Nov. 29, 1988, when the hosting Hatters claimed a 75-67 decision and won their third straight against the Gators.
Stetson (7-2) at Florida (5-4)
Stephen C. O'Connell Center (11,548)
Gainesville, Fla.
Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 * 1 p.m. ET
Game Notes (PDF):
· Florida: http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/women/stats/notes/pre/20141214130000.pdf
· Stetson: http://www.gohatters.com/fls/14600/pdf/wbb1415/10_uf.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=14600
Game Coverage and More!
· Radio: LIVE on ESPN850 (WRUF-AM) in Gainesville with Adam Schick, Brittany Davis & Jennifer George
· Internet Audio: LIVE through www.GatorZone.com (FREE)
· Television: none
· Internet Video: SEC Network+ with Larry Vettel & Brooke Thomas http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/2205945/NCAA-Womens-College-Basketball-Stetson-vs-Florida
· Internet Scoring: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=65551
Opening Tip:
· This is the third and final home doubleheader of the season, as the men host Jacksonville at 4 p.m.
· Each of the last three meetings between the Gators and the Hatters have occurred on Nov. 14.
· Florida leads the all-time series with Stetson, 23-3, and is undefeated versus the Hatters under head coach Amanda Butler, 4-0.
· The last meeting between the Gators and the Hatters occurred in Gainesville on Nov. 14, 2011, when the home team took down the visiting Florida foe, 71-57.
· The Gators are 34-5 overall versus Atlantic Sun Conference (ASC) teams and 14-2 under Butler, including the 2014-15 season opening victory over Jacksonville, 84-73.
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
