GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Funda Nakkasoglu scored a game-high 21 points while Haley Lorenzen and Delicia Washington both recorded double-doubles but it wasn't enough to lift Florida past Chattanooga in a 65-60 decision in the first game of the Gator Holiday Classic played at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Chattanooga outscored Florida 10-3 in the final 2:08 of the game and that run proved to be the difference.
 
The Gators had erased a 55-48 deficit with 8:04 remaining and tied the game at 55 with 4:37 on the clock thanks to Dyandria Anderson's three-point-play. Nakkasoglu then sank a reverse layup for a two-point Gator lead with 3:10 on the clock.
 
Trailing by two with 1:47 remaining, Washington stepped up with confidence despite having hit just 3-of-12 from the field before nailing a three-pointer that gave Florida a 60-59 lead with 56 seconds left.
 
Those were the Gators' final points, as UTC closed the game scoring the final six points, four of those from the free throw line, as the Mocs notched their fifth win over a Power 5 conference this season.
 
 
First Half was a Different Story
Florida used a 15-2 run over the final 5:42 of the second quarter to flip a 24-21 deficit into a 36-26 halftime lead.
 
The Gators converted 60 percent (9-15) of their shots during the second quarter when they outscored the Mocs, 25-13.
 
Florida also dished nine assists on its 13 total first-half field goals and enjoyed a 22-16 rebounding advantage.
 
UTC actually led by as many as seven points late in the first quarter and held a 13-11 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.
 
 
Numbers of Note

• There were eight lead changes and seven tied scores in the game.
• Florida totaled just four three-pointers, its fewest this season. The fourth trey, however, marked the team's 110th of the year, passing last year's entire total from deep over a 31-game span.
• The 60 total points were UF's second fewest of the year.
• UF shot 35.9 percent from the floor during the game, its second-lowest mark of the year

 
 
Individual Numbers of Note

• Nakkasoglu scored 21 points for her eighth double-figure scoring game this year, 61st of her career; it was her third time scoring in the 20s this year, 33rd time in her career
• Lorenzen finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the year, ninth of career; the 12 rebounds tied her career and season-high, which she's posted three times now
• Washington recorded 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for her second double-double this year and third of her career [totals do not include her triple-double this year]

 
 
Milestone Watch

• Lorenzen finished the game with 981 points, just 19 shy of becoming the 25th Gator to score 1,000 in a career
• Nakkasoglu topped the 1,300-point plateau for her career and finished the game with 1,301
• Washington collected her 250th career rebound during the game
• Nakkasoglu collected her 200th career rebound

 
 
Gators vs. Chattanooga: The Series

• 5-Game Series: UTC leads 3-2 (UF Home: 0-1; Away: 1-0; Neutral: 1-2)

 
 
Thursday's Gator Holiday Classic Game Schedule:

• Noon: Florida vs. Saint Joseph's
• 2:30 p.m.: UTC vs. Princeton

 
 
Quotes from the Court – UF Coach Cameron Newbauer
General thoughts on the game:
"We have to get tougher on offensive rebounding. We gave up a lot in the second half [9 in second half]. Chattanooga out-played us. We were up 10 at halftime, playing team basketball with nine assists. Only had two assists in the second half – that is not going to win games for us. We have to play as a team and get better.
 
"We fought and kept playing, but why does it have to come to that every game. Every game we sit back on our heels and we don't fight earlier. We don't have an ounce of toughness to want to fight until we get punched a few times. It's frustrating and that is why we shot 36 percent overall, 14 percent from '3.' No one wants to step up and take the open shots. They closed out on us hard, but we have to take those shots because they are going to happen all year."
 
On playing Saint Joseph's tomorrow:
"We have to keep working and looking forward to the next game. St. Joe's is a tough team and right now, toughness is not our forte. We have our hands full tomorrow for sure.
 
 
What's Next for the Gators AFTER the Gator Holiday Classic

• 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!

 
 
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/2BmRYgh
• Internet Scoring: LIVE through FloridaGators.com - http://bit.ly/1YdNeuV
• Gates Open: 11 am

 
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
• DELICIA Washington: duh-LEE-shuh

 
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #WeChomp