Gators Women’s Basketball Host Wofford In WNIT Game

The Florida women’s basketball team (16-14) opens WNIT play on Thursday by hosting the Wofford Terriers (22-9). Tip off is set for 6 p.m.

The Terriers and Gators have faced two times in program history, with Florida being the winners of both match ups. These teams last took the court to face-off against each other in 2021 when Florida had a convincing 61-47 win. Both games were at a neutral site and this will be the first campus game between the two schools.

Florida

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The Gators are looking to rebound after an ugly first round exit from the SEC Tournament which saw Florida lose 72-52 to Kentucky.  This is the ninth time in program history the Gators have played in the NIT and they hold a 15-8 record in the NIT, recently making it to the second round in 2021 with advances to the finals in 1985 and 2000, When in the NIT the Gators are 5-3 in opening round play.

UF coach Kelly Rae Finley looks to show fans some success this season after finishing SEC play 5-11 in her first full year as the Gator head coach. As an interim, Finley led the Gators to a 21-11 record with a 10-6 conference record and an NCAA Tournament appearance in which Florida lost to the the UCF Knights. The Gators look to finish the season off on a strong note in which the team saw two, four game losing streaks.

Wofford

The Terriers look to continue success after finishing the regular season with program best 22-9 record with a loss in the conference championship game to Chattanooga. This is the second NIT selection in program history with the Terriers also making the tournament last year. Wofford was defeated by Middle Tennessee in the first round last season by a score of 86-56 where we would see Middle Tennessee advance all the way to the Final Four.

Jimmy Garrity is in his seventh season as the Terriers head coach. Garrity has seen continued success building season after season which has led to back-to-back NIT appearances and a program best record in conference and overall play.

Wofford has been led by sophomore guard Rachael Rose who averages 17 points a game followed by fifth year guard Jackie Carman who averages 15 points a contest.

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Wofford looks to get their first wins in the NIT and in Gainesville, while the Gators look to make it to the second round for the sixth time in program history.  Tip off is at 6pm in the O’Connell Center.