MOBILE, Alabama – Carlie Needles scored a game-high 15 points, sophomore Dyandria Anderson notched her the first double-double of her career and the Gators overcame a sluggish start to win earn a 72-60 victory against South Alabama at the Mitchell Center Tuesday evening.
Tonight's win, which was Florida's sixth straight, represented the 199th career victory for UF Head Coach Amanda Butler, who is in her 11th year overall on the sideline
Florida trailed the entire first half and was within one points six times in the first half but couldn't manage to take the lead, as South Alabama took a 34-33 halftime lead.
Ronni Williams, who finished the game with 14 points and 11 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season and ninth of her career, scored the first four points of the third quarter and gave the Gators their first lead of the game and they never trailed again, as Anderson tacked on two more points as part of that initial run of the frame.
The teams traded scores for the majority of the third quarter and South Alabama was within two points on three occasions, the latest with 34 seconds left.
That's when Simone Westbrook converted a slashing layup ignited a 21-9 run that gave the Gators a 70-54 lead with 2:35 remaining the fourth quarter and Florida won its third consecutive road game in a five-day span that covered two different states.
Second Quarter Momentum
Florida picked up the pace in the second quarter, thanks to nine points from Needles, as the Gators hit 7-of-16 shots during the frame and held a 13-6 rebounding edge
Viktorija Dimaite hit an inside jumper in the paint with three seconds remaining in the half to end the scoring.
The Gators struggled in the first quarter, when they shot just 21.7 percent (5-23) from the floor and trailed 20-12 to the Jaguars, who hit 50 percent of their shot attempts.
Updated Records
Florida: 6-1
South Alabama: 1-3
Florida vs. South Alabama
· Florida leads the all-time series vs. South Alabama, 5-3
· The Gators have won the last five meetings against the Jaguars
· Florida is 2-2 against USA when playing in Mobile
Double-Doubling Their Pleasure
· Dyandria Anderson recorded the first double-double of her career, finishing the night with 13 points and 10 rebounds
· Ronni Williams finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the year and ninth in her career
· Last time two Gators had a double-double in one game was on Feb. 21, 2013 against Vanderbilt – Jennifer George (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Sydney Moss (15 points, 10 rebounds)
Racking up the Road Miles
· The Gators are in the midst of a five-game stretch where four of them are away from Gainesville.
· Tuesday's game was UF's second-to-last non-conference road game of the season (Dec. 10 at Wisconsin)
· The busy run began eight days ago when Florida played host to Savannah State on Tuesday, November 24.
· A little more than 12 hours after defeating the Tigers, 99-34, the Gators bussed to Orlando and flew 1,481 miles to Colorado to compete in Omni Hotels Classic, Nov. 27 and 28 against Ball State and Colorado.
· The team then departed the hotel in Boulder at 4:25 a.m. on November 29 and returned to Florida, where they bussed from Orlando to Gainesville and arrived at 6 p.m.
· Tonight's game also was the final of a four-game run Florida will have played in eight days and in three different states.
Numbers of Note
· Florida won the rebounding battle, 57-35, including 23 offensive boards.
· The Gators shot 30.8 percent in the first half, 45.7 percent in the second and 37.8 percent in the game.
· South Alabama hit 50 percent in the first half and 37.3 percent in the game, converted just 25.8 percent in the second half
· Tonight's win represented the 199th career victory for UF Head Coach Amanda Butler, who is in her 11th year overall on the sideline
· Florida won its sixth consecutive game, the first such win streak since the 2013-14 squad won nine straight
· Starting Five: Anderson, Christinaki, Needles, Lorenzen, Williams improved to 5-0 this season
· Second Half Starters: Miller, Batchelor, Needles, Williams, Anderson
Quotes from the Court – UF Head Coach Amanda Butler
“I think the road caught up with us a little bit. There's been a lot of talk about how many games we've played close together and on the road. We learned a great lesson about mental readiness. I think physically we were ready but we didn't come out of the gates like we needed to, but we did win. To shoot as poorly as we did from everywhere and still outrebound them – 23 offensive rebounds – that's definitely a positive. To outrebound them in the fashion that we did, honestly, we the story of the game for us.”
On Dyandria Anderson's performance
“You don't really notice what she does as much because she's so consistent. She's one of those players, who is just doing her job so it's a really quiet, but she gives us a very impactful and important 13 points and 10 rebounds. I'm really proud of her for her 35 minutes of action tonight because she really was solid for us. I thought for most of the night, Carlie was, as well. We were searching for answers tonight.”
On What the Gators did down the stretch to pull out the win:
“We hit shots. Our shooting percentage was pretty poor, but if you look at it from just the fourth quarter it was probably pretty good. Some of those big threes were huge for us. That gave us some room and then we got some big defensive stops and turned those into points – transition buckets. You have to give South Alabama a lot of credit. They made us play ugly today.”
Next for the Gators
Who: Arkansas State (4-1) at Florida (5-1)
When: Monday, December 7 * 7 p.m. ET
Where: Stephen C. O'Connell Center
Of Note: both teams are receiving votes in the USA Today-Coaches Poll
Special Promotions:
· Student Study Break: Gators welcome students to tonight's game for a study break! Enjoy free coffee, donuts, and games before looking ahead to exams!
· Rowdy Reptiles Check-in: Students, check-in using the Rowdy Reptiles app and earn 4 points toward great prizes!
· Toys for Tots: Fans who donate a toy will receive free admission to the game!
· Bring 3, Get In Free: Fans, bring 3 kids 17 years of age or younger and receive one free general admission ticket!
· Family and Friends Night: All Back Court Club members, Gold Card, Platinum Card, and Season Pass holders receive 2 complimentary vouchers to bring family and friends to Florida Women's Basketball!
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