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The Florida women’s basketball team defeated Alabama Thursday night 81-77 following an offensive showcase from the Orange and Blue. The win snaps a five game losing streak for Florida and the win came on Senior Night as well. Florida is now 4-11 in SEC play and 15-13 overall.
Gators secure the W over the Tide!#GoGators | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/PAGYvniJTK
— Gators Women’s Basketball (@GatorsWBK) February 24, 2023
Gators Roll on Offense
Coming off of a career high 30 points against number five LSU, KK Deans would remain hot.
Deans put on a clinic offensively. The Greensboro, North Carolina, native finished the game with 22 points and went 4/5 from beyond the arc. The senior didn’t miss at the free throw line going 8/8. Deans added three rebounds, three steals and two assists to her already impressive stat line on the night.
Deans wasn’t the only one who had it going for the Gators. She was joined by Ra Shaya Kyle, Leilani Correa and Nina Rickards who had 14,12 and 11 points respectively for Florida.
As a team, the Gators shot 41.4% from the field and 46.7% from three. Florida would ride its hot three point shooting and bench scoring throughout the night.
Hot start
Florida started the game 4/5 from the field thanks to a couple of threes from Deans and Correa. However, Alabama started hot too and the teams were tied at 12.
The Orange and Blue would pick up the defensive intensity later in the first quarter. The Gators forced five turnovers and would only allow Alabama eight shots in the first frame.
12-1 run to close out the 1st quarter!#GoGators pic.twitter.com/nw32LCgXOQ
— Gators Women’s Basketball (@GatorsWBK) February 23, 2023
The second quarter wasn’t much different. The Gators would shoot 17/32 in the first half, force 11 total turnovers and take a 15 point lead into halftime.
Extended the lead in the 2nd. Up 15 at the half!#GoGators pic.twitter.com/BEENAXuwbf
— Gators Women’s Basketball (@GatorsWBK) February 23, 2023
Second Half
Alabama would come out firing in the third quarter. The Crimson Tide had no problem hitting the long ball, using it to propel two runs to cut the deficit. Alberte Rimdal connected on a three at the end of the quarter to extend Florida’s lead to seven.
On top after 3! Let's finish strong!#GoGators pic.twitter.com/FgWQWGUKql
— Gators Women’s Basketball (@GatorsWBK) February 24, 2023
The Gators would remain up seven with five minutes remaining in the quarter, but an Alabama three point barrage would tie the game up at 75 with over two minutes remaining. Rickards would convert a layup and Kyle’s clutch free throws would seal the win for Florida.
https://twitter.com/GatorsWBK/status/1628935554984189953?s=20
Looking Ahead
Following Florida’s final home game of the season, the Gators will travel to take on the Missouri Tigers on Sunday; this will be the final game before the SEC tournament.
