Women’s Basketball Preview: No. 16 Florida vs Arkansas State

The No. 16 Florida Gators women’s basketball team (3-0) prepares for their next non-conference game in this young season. They will be facing the Arkansas State Red Wolves (0-3) in Jonesboro, Arkansas on Tuesday.

Stat Leaders

The Gators have been firing on all cylinders to start this season. They have won two of their games by double-digit margins. A mix of players have contributed to the Gators’ hot start, showing just how talented this team is from the seniors to the freshmen.

Offense

Offensively, the Gators are averaging 80.0 points a game. They have outscored their opponents by approximately 23.3 points. Take a gander at the players leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists midway through November.

Eleanna Christinaki – The team’s second-leading scorer last year, the sophomore guard has assumed a heavy offensive role as she leads the team with 22.0 points per game.

Ronni Williams – Known for her senior leadership along with her paint presence, Williams has given the Gators many second scoring chances so far. The forward is the team’s leading offensive rebounder with 2.0 rebounds per game.

Dyandria Anderson -The junior guard has done a great job taking on an unselfish mentality as she leads the team with 5.3 assists per game.

Defense

The Gators have allowed 33, 61, and 76 points throughout their first trio of games. Opposing teams are averaging 56.7 points against the Orange and Blue and only Temple (2-1) has been able to keep things close with a 83-76 loss on Saturday. Here are some of the defensive playmakers who have carried the Gators thus far.

Ronni Williams – Williams is even more of a force on the defensive glass, as she leads the team with 6.0 boards a game.

Haley Lorenzen – The 6’3 junior is a towering presence on the court, making it a difficult task to score in the paint. Lorenzen leads the team with 1.7 blocks per game and has continued to play at a very high level consistently according to head coach Amanda Butler.

Delicia Washington – One of the young Gators to already show much promise, the true freshman is very savvy on defense as she leads the team with 3.0 steals per game.

A Familiar Foe?

Since 1998, Florida has played Arkansas State just twice. Both contests were in Gainesville and both results were Gator victories. In 1998, the Gators won 75-65. Last season, it was a much closer affair as Florida squeaked out a 76-72 victory.

Although Arkansas State is winless, Florida head coach Amanda Butler knows this game will present a tough road challenge to her team. The Red Wolves may have lost four seniors to graduation, but their defensive intensity has remained the same.

Tipoff for Florida and Arkansas State is at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The game can be heard on ESPN Gainesville 95.3 FM/850 AM. Coverage starts at 5:45 p.m.

*All Gator Stats accredited to FloridaGators.com