The Florida women’s basketball team handily defeated the Troy Trojans on Tuesday night 87-62. The Gators entered the game on a two-game losing streak and head coach Amanda Butler says a 20 point victory on their home court was exactly what her team needed.
Florida definitely came ready to play as five Gators scored in double figures, including Oklahoma transfer junior Vicky McIntyre who recorded her first double-double in Orange and Blue as she scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Fellow post player and lone senior Jennifer George was also in on the double-double action, finishing the game with 14 points and nabbing 12 boards. McIntyre says it felt great to show everyone she has what it takes to put up those big numbers.
Butler knew it was going to be a good night for McIntyre as the plan all week had been to get the ball down low. The mission was clearly accomplished as the Gators scored almost half of their points in the paint. Butler says putting up higher percentage shots is something the team is continuously working on.
While the post players did their thing on the block, redshirt freshman guard Carlie Needles took care of most of the scoring from behind the arc. She finished the night with a team high 18 points, going 3 of 5 from three point land and scoring the remaining seven points from the free throw line. This is the third game this season Needles has put up double figures which she says is a product of her hard work at practice.
Fellow freshman Sydney Moss also had a stellar performance going 8 for 11 from the field and finishing with a career-high 18 points. Butler says having her on the floor is definitely an advantage for Florida.
Next up the Gators welcome Pacific into the O’Dome for a Friday night showdown. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m.