Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Junior Funda Nakkasoglu scored 18 points and Florida committed just six turnovers but it wasn't enough to slow down No. 17/14 Florida State, as the Seminoles took the 84-54 decision in the Sunshine Showdown presented by Fresh From Florida Friday evening at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
 
How it Happened
Nakkasoglu's layup at the 4:42 mark of the second quarter had the Gators within two, 28-26. That's when Florida State ripped off a devastating 19-0 run that lasted until there was 7:39 remaining in the third quarter and the Seminoles took a commanding 47-26 lead and never looked back as it handed UF its third worst loss in the 74-game series.
 
During that seven-minute span, Florida missed 11 consecutive shots but committed just one turnover.
 
Nakkasoglu ended the FSU spree with one of UF's seven three-pointers during the game.
 
FSU outscored Florida 20-8 in the second quarter and 28-13 in the third, however, the first quarter ended in a tie and the Noles had just a three-point advantage in the fourth.
 
It was during the deciding second quarter when the Gators hit just 17.6 percent (3-17) from the floor and had three total miscues that resulted in seven Noles points.
 
 
Close Early
Florida battled strong in the first quarter, even when FSU took a quick 12-4 lead just 4:10 into the game. After the teams traded scores, seniors Paulina Hersler, who finished with 11 points, and Haley Lorenzen canned jumpers and the Gators were within four.
 
FSU halted the mini run before sophomore Sydney Morang knocked down back-to-back three-pointers and tied the game at 16 with 1:45 remaining in the opening frame.
 
The Noles hit a jumper with 33 ticks left and Florida took the final possession of the frame and worked it to perfection, as freshman Jalaysha Thomas sank an inside bucket with six seconds remaining and the score was tied at 18 after the first quarter.
 
Numbers of Note

• Nakkasoglu's 18 points were a season-high
• Hersler scored 11 points and has tallied a double-figure scoring effort in all three games this season
• Delicia Washington collected a UF team-high eight rebounds.
• Lorenzen dished a team-best and career-high four assists
• UF's six total turnovers in the game is tied for the second-fewest in program history and the least since Jan. 29, 2004, when the team committed a record-three miscues against Alabama.
• The Gators hit seven three-pointers to up their season total to 25 in three games.
• Since Florida's 16-game win streak in the series, FSU has won 11 of the last 12, as well as five of the last six

 
Top Seminoles

• AJ Alix scored a game-high 26 points, connecting on 6-10 three-pointers to lead the Noles' 11-trey effort.
• Nicki Ekhomu had 14 points with 11 rebounds.
• Shakayla Thomas had 12 points and Imani Wright 11 with five assists
• Chatrice White added 11 rebounds

 
 
What's Next for Florida

• Florida makes its first road trip of the season, traveling approximately 180 miles to compete in the Savannah Invitational, Nov. 21-23.
• The Gators play three games in three days, squaring off against Richmond, Stetson and Savannah State.
• The team will depart Gainesville on Sunday afternoon.

 
 
Quotes from the Court
Florida Head Coach Cameron Newbauer - Opening Statement:
"They are a good team, a very, very good team and we knew that coming into the game. We tried some things defensively that worked in the first half. Fought back, tied it up at 18 and 26 then they we kind if went individualistic. Where we had some moments offensively where we wanted them to keep guarding us but we took some quick, fast forced shots."
 
Coach Newbauer on the eight-minute scoreless run:
"I think it's what they were doing. In retrospect we played into their hands. We did not share the ball, we did not move the ball, we didn't screen. We talked about how physical they were going to be on cuts and we didn't do that."
 
UF Senior Haley Lorenzen on the rebounding disadvantage:
"There are a lot of times when you think you have them and they just out jump you. That's where we have to carve out and do the things that Coach Cam and the staff have been teaching us and I don't think we did that consistently."
 
UF Senior Dyandria Anderson on encouragement and getting emotion on the court:
"Just to move the ball. We know they are a great defensive team, they're going to get up in us so we just have to keep moving the ball to find the open shot. So we were just trying to keep talking to each other to keep passing the ball keep moving it because eventually we are going to get the shot that we want."
 
UF Junior Funda Nakkasoglu on what can the Gators take away from this game:
"I think first of all, belief in ourselves. You saw in the first quarter we were able to compete with such a great team and it was through running our stuff and running what we know to do and going off what coach has taught us to do. I think that's the biggest thing we can take away from this. But, obviously, I think we can compete more in practice and get those quicker shots or hit the person on a rebound and get angry on that kind of stuff."
 
Nakkasoglu on shots falling tonight:
"Personally I don't think it was really falling for me, but as I have said earlier that's not an issue to me. I don't go out there and think about that when I go out there and play. I just try and do what I can for the team. If there is an open shot I'll take it but otherwise I'm trying to create of my teammates."
 
 
Florida State Head Coach Sue Semrau – Opening Remarks
"Always and amazing rivalry game. I never feel comfortable coming into this game. [inaudible] … never will but what a special rivalry that has been developed over every sport at Florida and Florida State."
 
Coach Semrau on things they need to improve:
"One thing I though was interesting that Cam tried to do was pack the paint and dare us to shoot the three. I felt like we have some great three-point shooters on our team and they are so selfless that they were just like I'm really open now what do I do. I thought it was a really smart game plan."
 
Coach Semrau in rebounding emphasis:
"It's really our main emphasis. We know that our shooters get confident when we go rebound. When we get a chance to go get the defensive rebound and get out and run we are a much better team."
 
Coach Semrau on the impact of road wins:
"Any time you can win on the road it's a big win. The way the RPI works, is it's better to win on the road than at home. We have really prided ourselves on being a great road team, road warriors, and now we aren't going home we are going to go off to Grambling. And it's a pretty cool story. Monte Wrights dad played at Grambling and was the first player ever drafted by the NBA so to go take her back there where her dad was such a star is really important to us."
 
 
Gator Pronunciations for this Release:

• DYANDRIA Anderson: dee-ANN-dree-uh
• Sydney MORANG: mur-RANG (like meringue pie)
• FUNDA NAKKASOGLU: FOON-da knock-a-SO-glue
• JALAYSHA Thomas: jah-LAY-shuh
• DELICIA Washington: duh-LEE-shuh

 
 
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