Gators Start Two-Game Road Swing at Savannah State
Wednesday, December 3, 2014 | Women's Basketball
The Florida Gator women's basketball team will seek its fourth-straight win and second-consecutive road victory, when the team visits Savannah State on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. at Tiger Arena in Savannah, Ga.
The Tigers enter Thursday night boasting a 3-1 record, including a perfect 2-0 mark when playing in front of their home crowd.
Florida and Savannah State last tipped off during the 2012-13 season, when the two teams met in the Gator Holiday Classic. The Gators defeated the Tigers, 88-38, on their way to winning the home tournament. Entering Thursday's game, Florida holds a 2-1 series advantage and a 2-0 mark under head coach Amanda Butler.
Quotes from the Court:
Florida Head Coach Amanda Butler
On Florida's recent success on the boards:
“You just want to be more aggressive. Our leading rebounder is Carlie [Needles], so height doesn't have a whole lot to do with rebounding. It's attempts, heart, desire and being fearless. She's a leading rebounder in the SEC right now and is probably one of the shortest players. We don't ever look at that [size] as a part of how we are going to rebound against them.”
Stat Watch:
· Florida has been lethal from downtown this season, shooting 37.8% from three-point range (34-for-90). The impressive shooting percentage ranks second in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). On the flip side, the Gators have held opponents to 27.9% from behind the arc (29-for-104). In Monday night's win over Virginia Tech, Florida held the Hokies to a mere 1-for-18 shooting performance from three-point range.
Last Time Out:
· The Gators improved to 4-0 at home this season with its 73-44 win over Virginia Tech.
· Cassie Peoples scored a season-high 19 points, while tying a career-high five three-pointers.
· Florida never trailed during Monday's win, marking the second time this season the Gators have led wire-to-wire (Jacksonville, Nov. 14).
· Savannah State last played on Sunday, Nov. 30, defeating Troy University, 83-80, on the road.
Kayla's Coming Home
· Redshirt senior Kayla Lewis is the lone Georgia native on this year's roster. Lewis' hometown of Decatur, Ga., is located approximately 4 hours northwest of the coastal city of Savannah.
Downtown Dilemma:
· Florida's three-point defense suffocated the Hokies on Monday, as Virginia Tech shot just 1-for-18 from downtown. It was the fewest three-pointers allowed by UF since Dec. 19, 2005, when UF limited Texas-Arlington to 1-for-18 shooting from downtown (minimum 8 shots attempted).
38 Years Later:
· The Gators visit Savannah State for the second time in program history and the first time since Jan. 24, 1976, when the Gators fell, 90-62, to the Tigers. The trip also marks UF's inaugural visit to Tiger Arena, as the facility was constructed in 2000.
Making it Rain:
· The Gators sit atop the SEC rankings in both field goal (.492) and free throw (.772) percentage. UF ranks third in three-point field goal percentage (.378) and is fourth in the league, averaging 81.2 points per game.
Tale of the Tape:
· In winning five of its six contests, Florida boasts a +19.6 scoring margin, outscoring its opponents by an average of 81.6 to 62.0.
Deep Freeze:
· Florida held the Hokies to a .313 (15-for-48) performance on field goals, the lowest percentage by an opponent since Feb. 28, 2013, when the Gators held Arkansas to a .310 (18-for-58) showing in a 69-58 win.
Hot Hand:
· Redshirt senior Kayla Lewis ranks 4th in the SEC in field goal percentage with a .593 mark through six games this season. Lewis has bucketed 66.6% of her shots from the field in her last two outings and turned in her best shooting performance at Georgetown, going 8-for-10 (.800) from the floor.
Florida (5-1) at Savannah State (3-1)
Tiger Arena (6,000)
Savannah, Ga.
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 * 6 p.m. ET
Game Notes (PDF)
· Florida: http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/women/stats/notes/pre/20141204180000.pdf
· Savannah State: http://www.ssuathletics.com/documents/2014/12/3/Savannah_State_WBB_Game_Notes_G5_Fla.pdf
Game Coverage and More!
· Radio: LIVE on ESPN850 (WRUF-AM) in Gainesville with Adam Schick & Brittany Davis
· Internet Audio: LIVE thru www.GatorZone.com (FREE)
· Television: none
· Internet Video (subscription required): http://www.ssuathletics.com/watch/?Live=198
· Internet Scoring: http://www.sidearmstats.com/savstate/wbball/
Opening Tip
· The Gators are 2-1 all-time vs. the Tigers and look to improve to 3-0 against Savannah State under Butler.
· The last time the two schools met came during the 2012-13 season in the Gator Holiday Classic. The Gators defeated the Tigers, 88-38, en route to winning the tournament.
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
