GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida returns to action for the first time since defeating Marshall, 74-69, on December 10, taking an 11-day break from competition to focus on final exams. The team plays host to its 26th annual Gator Holiday Classic, Dec. 20-21, with Chattanooga, Princeton and Saint Joseph's competing.
It's a predetermined schedule, with the Florida playing Chattanooga on Dec. 20 at noon, before Princeton and Saint Joseph's meet at 2:30 p.m.
On Dec. 21, the Gators play Saint Joseph's at noon, while Chattanooga and Princeton square off at 2:30 p.m.
The Gator Holiday Classic will mark the third and fourth games during Florida's five-game homestand, capping the friendly run on December 27 against Delaware State.
Gator Holiday Classic Game Schedule:
- Dec. 20, Noon: Florida vs. Chattanooga
- Dec. 20, 2:30 p.m.: Saint Joseph's vs. Princeton
- Dec. 21, Noon: Florida vs. Saint Joseph's
- Dec. 21, 2:30 p.m. UTC vs. Princeton
Gators vs. Chattanooga: The Series
- 4-Game Series: tied 2-2 (UF Home: 0-0; Away: 1-0; Neutral: 1-2)
- Florida has won the last two meetings in the four-game series against UTC, including last year's 72-61 thriller in Chattanooga, where it was a two-point game, 63-61, with 4:38 remaining, before the Gators closed it out with a 9-0 run that included a big three-pointer from Dyandria Anderson and four points from Haley Lorenzen.
A Glance at The Mocs
- Women's Basketball Hall of Famer Jim Foster guides UTC for a fifth consecutive year. He has guided the Mocs to the NCAA Tournament every year and is approaching the 900-win plateau, entering the Gator Holiday Classic with 893 wins in 40 years on the sidelines.
- Gator Assistant Coach John McCray was a member of Coach Foster's UTC staff for the last four years before joining the UF staff.
- On the court, sisters Aryanna and Keiana Gilbert lead the Mocs in scoring, combining for 44 percent of the team's offense.
"Chuck it from the Cheap Seats!"
- The Gators are listening to Coach Cameron Newbauer's approach to shooting and has told every member of the team to "chuck it from the cheap seats!"
- The Gators reset the program record for threes in a game in two of their last three outings. The new standard stands at 17 after the Nov. 23 performance against Savannah State.
- The team canned 15 three-pointers vs. Richmond (11/21/17) to first break the program record for threes in a game, which was 13 at Arkansas, Feb. 1, 2009.
Gators for THREEEEEE!
- Entering Wednesday's game, the Gators are averaging 10.6 three-pointers per game and converting at a 37.1 percent clip.
- Thru games played Dec. 18 UF ranks SIXTH in the country in threes per game! (and No. 10 in total three-pointers made)
- TEN of the 11 players on the scholarship roster have hit at least one trey this season. Only freshman guard Tameria Johnson has yet to have one fall from deep.
- Check out the chart on this page to see the individual three-point shooting improvements by each the Gators!
What Else do the Gators do well?
- Aside from hitting the three at an SEC-leading rate, Florida doesn't get fouled. The Gators rank No. 2 in the country in staying out of foul trouble, being whistled for just 12.2 fouls per game.
- Through the first 10 games, not one Gator has fouled out this season.
What Just Happened
- The Gators may have tried to start their 11-day break from games about 15 minutes too early, as Florida was forced to withstand a furious Marshall rally to earn a 74-69 win.
- The Gators (6-4) slowly built a 54-34 lead with 4:48 remaining in the third quarter, before Marshall (3-6) ripped off a 33-14 run that had the Herd within one, 68-67, with 1:06 to go in the game.
- Late in that span, Funda Nakkasoglu's three-pointer with 2:48 remaining put the Gators back up 10, 67-57, however, that would be Florida's final field goal of the game. The Herd rattled off an ensuring 10-1 run and cut UF's lead to one.
- Marshall finished by hitting six of its final eight field goal attempts
- The Herd outscored UF 25-14 in the fourth quarter, when the Gators shot 18.2 percent (2-11) and Marshall 55.6 percent (10-18) from the floor.
- Florida had 18 assists on 22 field goals.
Gator Watch
Who's Hot!
- During the last three games, the Gators five primary starters are each averaging a double-figure scoring effort, with Funda Nakkasoglu atop the chart with 19.0 points per game. Nakkasoglu is swishing three-pointers at a 41.7 percent (10-24) clip.
- Haley Lorenzen is averaging a double-double during the three-game span, recording 10.0 points and 10.3 rebounds.
What's Next for the Gators
- Following the Gator Holiday Classic, Florida will not compete again until Wed., Dec. 17, when the team plays host to Delaware State, with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m.
- PLEASE NOTE THE EARLY WEEKDAY START TIME!
Game Day at a Glance
- What: 26th Gator Holiday Classic, Day 1
- Who: Florida (6-4) hosts Chattanooga (7-4)
- Where: Exactech Arena (10,151) * Gainesville, Florida
- When: Wed., December 20 * 12 pm ET
- Also: Princeton vs. Saint Joseph's at 2:30 p.m.
Game Notes (PDF):
Gator Game Coverage & More!
- Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1FM & 850AM WRUF with Kyle Crooks & Brittany Davis
- Internet Audio: link thru FloridaGators.com (FREE)
- Television: none
- Streaming Video: SEC Network + (WatchESPN) - http://es.pn/2kO65QB
- Internet Scoring: LIVE through FloridaGators.com - http://bit.ly/1YdNeuV
- Gates Open: 11 am
Opening Tip
- Florida returns to the court for the first time since an 11-day break for final exams and plays host to the 26th Gator Holiday Classic.
- This year's Gator Holiday Classic has a prearranged schedule so there will not be a team tournament champion - only an individual All-Tournament Team.
- Florida has won the event 20 times in the 24 years there has been a team champion declared. There were only three teams in 2005 and no team title was awarded.
- Saint Joseph's is making its second appearance at the GHC, placing third in 2012. UTC and Princeton are first-time competitors.
Additional Hoopla for Wednesday
Sponsored by Honda of Gainesville
- Holiday Classic Shirt Giveaway - The first 100 fans to the game receive a special Holiday Classic T shirt! [Location-Main Atrium]
- Holiday Joy - Fans will be filled with holiday spirit as the Exactech Arena turns into a winter wonderland! Visit the Practice Court and take a journey through the North Pole, play games and enjoy a special visit from Santa himself!
- Balloon artist Magic Mike will be on hand making all sorts of items for kids!
- $1 Day - All general admission tickets are $1. Hot dogs are available for just $1 as well.
- Kids Club - Kids Club members and their families receive FREE admission to the game
Additional Hoopla for Thursday
Sponsored by Honda of Gainesville
- Holiday Joy - Fans will be filled with holiday spirit as the Exactech Arena turns into a winter wonderland! Visit the Practice Court and take a journey through the North Pole, play games and enjoy a special visit from Santa himself!
- $1 Day - All general admission tickets are $1. Popcorn is available for just $1, as well.
- Kids Club - Kids Club members and their families receive FREE admission to the game
Gator Pronunciations for this Release:
- DYANDRIA Anderson: dee-ANN-dree-uh
- FUNDA NAKKASOGLU: FOON-da knock-a-SO-glue
- JALAYSHA Thomas: jah-LAY-shuh
- DELICIA Washington: duh-LEE-shuh
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