Women's Hoops Hosts Gator Holiday Classic Sunday and Monday
Saturday, December 20, 2014 | Women's Basketball
Florida returns to the court after a seven-day break from competition for final exams and plays host to the 24th Annual Gator Holiday Classic presented by Honda of Gainesville, December 21-22. The two-day, four-game event features Georgia Southern, Eastern Washington and Southern University at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
Georgia Southern (2-5) and Eastern Washington (5-4) tip off the GHC on Sunday at 12 Noon, followed by the Gators (6-4) battling Southern (126) at 2:30 p.m.
On Monday, Florida will play at 2:30 p.m. against either the GSU Eagles or the EWU Eagles, while Southern U. continues action at 12 Noon versus the team that produced the outcome during game one.
Special Promotions
· Gator Holiday Classic: The first 500 fans receive Gator Holiday Classic T-Shirts
· Toys for Tots: Donate a toy to the Toys for Tots Program and receive free admission to both games today. Help a child in need this Holiday season!
Gator Classic History
· Florida's annual home tournament has traditionally featured some of the nation's finest teams and players.
· At least one team from the four-team field has earned an NCAA Tournament berth in 16 of the 23 years, including the 1994 field that featured all four future NCAA selections.
· A total of 33 alumnae competing in UF's Gator Classic have gone on to play professional basketball in the WNBA.
· Florida has won 19 of the previous 23 Gator Classic titles (the 2005 event featured only three teams and played a round-robin style tournament so no champion was declared) and has advanced to the championship game every year.
Coach Butler Knows the Gator Classic
· Head Coach Amanda Butler has played in the Gator Classic, worked as an assistant coach for two different teams in the Gator Classic and has guided Florida to the 2007, '08, '10, '11, '12 and '13 titles as a head coach.
· Butler was a freshman when the tournament debuted in December of 1990, and led the Gators to win the first four titles that culminated in her selection to the 1993 All-Tournament her senior year.
· In UF's inaugural game, Butler helped the Gators defeat Tennessee State in 1990 with a then-tournament record 10 assists, a record that still stands as the second-most in a single game. Her two-game 15-assist total in 1990 still stands as tied for the most in tournament history, while her six steals against Penn in 1993 ranks second in the Gator Classic record book.
· As a Gator assistant coach during the 1996 and 1997 events, Butler and UF captured the Gator Classic titles.
· Butler returned to the Gator Classic as an assistant coach with Charlotte, but the 49ers fell to the Gators, 86-72, in the 2004 title game.
2013 GHC was for the Peoples
· Florida's Cassie Peoples was named the MVP of the 2013 Gator Holiday Classic when she scored a career-high 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting in the championship game win against FIU.
· The Gators won the GHC title by defeating Tennessee State in the first round.
The Series vs. GHC Teams
· Florida is 2-1 against Southern University, with the last meeting a 62-35 Gator victory on Dec. 20, 2009, in the first round of the Gator Classic.
· Georgia Southern holds a 5-4 lead against the Gators, who have a 3-0 record at home against the Eagles. The last time the teams met was back on January 27, 1993, when Florida won its third straight in the series.
· The Gators have never played Eastern Washington.
Quick Scout - Southern U.
· The Jaguars are making their second appearance at the Gator Holiday Classic, also competing at the 2009 event when the team dropped decisions to Florida and William & Mary.
· In its last game, Southern U., snapped a six-game skid - all of which was on the road - with a 80-69 home victory against Florida A&M on Wed., December 17. Five different Jaguars netted a double-figure scoring effort paced by Jasmine Jefferson's 17 points.
· Junior guard Britney Washington and senior guard Kendra Coleman lead the team offensively with 16.0 and 13.6 points per game.
· Seven Jaguars on the 2014-15 roster are natives of the Sunshine State.
Last Two Games
· January Miller is the only Gator averaging a double-figure scoring effort (10.5 ppg) over the last two games.
· Kayla Lewis is averaging 10.0 rebounds over the last two games, bolstered by her 15-board performance against Stetson (December 14).
· Through the first eight games, Florida averaged an SEC-leading 75.1 percent from the free throw line and connected on 36.9 percent (41-111) from beyond the three-point arc. During the last two games, the Gators have struggled to convert from either spot, shooting just 56.3 percent (18-32) from the line and 23.3 percent (7-30) from downtown.
Game Day Information
· Florida (6-4) hosts the 24th Annual Gator Holiday Classic presented by Honda of Gainesville
· Stephen C. O'Connell Center (11,373) * Gainesville, Fla.
· Sun., December 21
o Eastern Washington (5-4) vs. Georgia Southern (2-7) - 12 Noon
o Southern U. (2-6) vs. UF - 2:30 p.m.
· Mon., December 22
o Southern U. vs. TBA - 12 Noon
o Florida vs. TBA - 2:30 p.m.
Florida Game Notes (PDF): http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/women/stats/notes/pre/20141221143000.pdf
Game Coverage & More!
· Radio: LIVE on ESPN850 WRUF-AM in Gainesville with Adam Schick, Brittany Davis & Jennifer George
· Internet Audio: LIVE thru www.GatorZone.com (FREE)
· Television: none
· Internet Video: SEC Network+
· Internet Scoring: Stat Broadcast (FREE) vs. Gatorzone.com
· Tickets: FREE - Donate a toy to the Toys for Tots Program and receive free admission to both games! $5 for reserved seats; $4 adult general admission; $2 for youth age 17 and under; FREE for UF students
· Parking: FREE in the O'Connell Center Lot Garage
Additional Hoopla for Sunday
· Gator Holiday Classic: The first 500 fans receive Gator Holiday Classic T-Shirts
· High Five Tunnel: Kids 12 and under will have the opportunity to high five the Gators as they enter the court.
· Toys for Tots: Donate a toy to the Toys for Tots Program and receive free admission to both games today. Help a child in need this Holiday season!
· Alberta's Winter Wonderland: Alberta's Winter Wonderland will be open in the arena where fans can take pictures, play games and much more.
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
-##-
