Gators Women’s Basketball continued its slide down the Southeastern Conference standings with a 68-42 defeat at Ole Miss on Sunday.
The loss puts the Gators at 14-9 overall and 3-7 in the conference. KK Deans led Florida with 10 points, while Leilani Correa followed with nine. The triple threat of Angel Baker (18 points), Madison Scott and Marquesha Davis (15 points each) proved too much to contain.
The Gators struggled with their shooting overall, making just 24% of their shots, hitting four of 11 from deep, and converting only 12 of 20 free throw attempts.
The Rebels took advantage of Florida’s turnovers, outscoring them 23-11 in transition. Ole Miss also won the points in the paint battle, doubling up on Florida 28-14. It was also a strong defensive game for Ole Miss, who outrebounded the Gators 48-34.
1st Quarter
The Gators netted the first points of the game within the opening minute. Alberte Rimdal nailed a triple from the left corner.
https://twitter.com/GatorsWBK/status/1622342753370734593
Florida continued its hot start until mid-way through the first quarter. The team’s 10-point effort quickly evaporated as Ole Miss’ shots began to fall. With the Gators hanging on to a 10-8 lead with 5:22 left in the first, both teams went on a three-minute scoring drought.
Ole Miss’ Davis tied the game at 10 on a fast break inside the three-minute mark. The Rebels took the lead back 30 seconds later on a left post jumper by Snudda Collins. Ole Miss wouldn’t relinquish the lead and had Florida down 14-11 by quarter’s end.
Rebs lead! pic.twitter.com/XFCOgBJLPh
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) February 5, 2023
2nd Quarter
Ole Miss continued its momentum from the end of the first quarter, outscoring Florida 19-12 in the second. The Gators narrowed the deficit to 25-20 towards the end of the half on a three-ball from Deans.
A three-pointer from Collins snuffed out any hope for the Gators to enter halftime with some mojo. The Rebels led Florida 33-23 at the half.
https://twitter.com/OleMissWBB/status/1622352036497969157
3rd Quarter
The Gators put together a strong third quarter defensively, holding Ole Miss to just 10 points in the frame, its lowest total on the night. Unfortunately, the Gators’ offense still could not find its footing, only scoring eight points.
After a slow start to the quarter for both sides, Ole Miss strung together six points in the final three minutes to take a 43-31 lead into the final quarter.
Step-back jumper good from @angthegoat15 to make the Rebel lead a dozen! pic.twitter.com/c9NsXS2aFX
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) February 5, 2023
4th Quarter
Ole Miss pulled away for good in the final 10 minutes. The strong defense of the third was nowhere to be found, as the Rebels outscored Florida 25-11.
A 9-0 run was effectively the final nail in the coffin of Florida’s seventh conference loss of the season.
Q4 | 4:04
Rebs running away with it.
Ole Miss 61, Florida 36 pic.twitter.com/YBd7xLm8Lk
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) February 5, 2023
What’s Next For The Gators?
Florida has six conference games remaining before the SEC tournament begins.
The Gators will return to the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on Thursday at 7 p.m. against Mississippi State.