COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Florida sophomore Ronni Williams and freshman Haley Lorenzen combine for 24 points in a 66-46 loss at No. 15 Texas A&M at Reed Arena Sunday afternoon.
Both halves mirrored each other from a scoring standpoint, as the Aggies outscored the Gators by 10 in each period, using similar runs in both halves.
TAMU used two significant runs during the first half: the first a 12-2 spree to start the game, and then a 7-0 run that ended the half and helped the Aggies build a 31-21 halftime lead.
Florida rallied with two runs of its own: a mini 6-0 spurt with four points from January Miller that nearly countered TAMU's initial run; and then the Gators scored seven consecutive points in the latter part of the frame and were within three points, 24-21, with 4:29 remaining. Carla Batchelor scored four points during the march.
TAMU began the second half with an 8-4 spurt that extended its 31-21 halftime lead into a 39-23 advantage with 17:24 left in the game.
TAMU scored nine consecutive points during a 3:59 span that capped an overall 15-2 run in the second half and took a 54-33 lead with 10:02 remaining and the Gators were unable to rebound.
Florida had whittled a 14-point deficit to eight points, 39-31, with 16:12 remaining before the Aggies countered with that final surge.
Florida shot 32.3 percent in the first half, 31.3 percent in the second and 31.7 percent for the game, while Texas A&M converted 46.7 percent in the first, 47.8 percent in the second and 47.2 percent overall for consistency throughout the game.
Williams scored a game-high 14 points for the Gators that marked her team-best 16 double-figure scoring game of the season, as well as the 30th of her career.
Lorenzen notched her seven career double-figure scoring game.
Freshman Brooke Copeland corralled a team-best six rebounds and led the Gators on the boards for the third time in her career.
Courtney Williams and Achiri Ade led the Aggies with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Updated Records: Florida 12-14, 4-9 SEC … Texas A&M 21-6, 9-4 SEC
Quotes from the Court – UF Head Coach Amanda Butler:
Initial thoughts on the game:
“Obviously, we're very disappointed for a long list of reasons and that's really not as important as much to say that A&M did what they needed to do. You're playing one of the best teams in the country on their home court. They are well coached, they have two of the best guards in our conference. Our effort, our execution, our fill in the blank here as got to be a whole lot better. Again, A&M set the tone and you have to tip your hat to them.”
On the slow start maybe a result of the overtime loss to Vanderbilt:
“No, our team was done a really good job of turning the page and really possesses a resilient spirit. I don't think (the last game) had anything to do with (tonight's slow start). We were playing a very good team that's concerned about its seeding and things you're supposed to be concerned about this time of year and we didn't respond to the challenge.”
On UF's ability to make small runs to decrease its deficit throughout the game:
“I thought our turnovers were really timely. They came at critical moments and really any momentum that we generated was a cold bucket of water on our effort.”
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First Half at a Glance:
· Halftime Score: Texas A&M 31, Florida 21
· Leading Scorers: Ronni Williams 5 points (UF); Khaalia Hillsman 7 points (TAMU)
Nice, Round Numbers:
· Freshman Haley Lorenzen collected the 100th rebound of her career
· Freshman Brooke Copeland collected her 80th career rebound
Streaks & Stuff:
· Carlie Needles played in the 95th game of her career.
· Ronni Williams scored in double-figures for the third consecutive game
All Good Things Come to an End:
· Florida's streak of 156 consecutive games with at least one three-pointer came to end, after an 0-8 effort from beyond the arc.
· Carlie Needles had scored in 33 consecutive games she played but was unable to find the bottom of the net tonight.
Start Me Up:
· Gator Starters: Carlie Needles, Cassie Peoples, Kayla Lewis, Brooke Copeland and Haley Lorenzen
· This group made its third start, also vs. South Carolina and Vanderbilt (Feb. 19 meeting)
· Lewis started her 59th straight game
· Copeland made her 10th straight start
· Second Half Starters: Miller, Peoples, Needles, Lewis, Lorenzen
Next Gator Game:
· Who: Florida at Alabama (13-15, 2-11 SEC)
· When: Thursday, February 26 * 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT)
· Where: Foster Auditorium * Tuscaloosa, Alabama
· TV: SEC Network
Scores of Other SEC Games:
· ARKANSAS d. LSU, 63-41
· Auburn d. GEORGIA, 44-26
· Missouri d VANDERBILT, 54-51
· #14 Mississippi State d. ALABAMA, 57-55
SEC Games on Monday:
· #11 Kentucky at OLE MISS
· #6 Tennessee at #2 SOUTH CAROLINA
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
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