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The Florida Gators (17-17, 6-12 SEC) advance to the second round of the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT). This is coming off an 83-71 victory over Northern Iowa (17-17, 11-9 MVC). The Gators were led by senior Jeriah Warren, who had a career-high 28 points.
How Florida Did it
Florida had a strong start, shooting 50% from the field in the first quarter and taking a 24-17 lead into the second. However, Northern Iowa battled back, taking its first lead of the game at 32-31 in the second quarter. Their run led to both teams entering halftime tied at 38.
The Gators turned up the intensity in the second half. This is where they shot 58.8% from the field and led 61-58 heading into the final period. Florida dominated in the fourth, outscoring the Panthers 22-13, with Warren scoring eight points in the closing minutes.
In addition to Warren’s stellar performance, Alexia Gassett contributed 13 points, while Ra Shaya Kyle and Laila Reynolds added 12 and 11 points. Florida also excelled on the boards, outrebounding UNI 40-30, and forced 19 turnovers, converting them into 20 points.
Key Takeaways:
- Florida had four players in double figures, Warren leading the way with a career high 28.
- The Gators shot 86.7% from the free-throw line, going 13-15.
- Gators had a combined 20 assists.
Next Up
Florida advances to the second round of the WBIT and will face either UNLV or Hawaii on Sunday afternoon. The game will be a significant opportunity for the Gators to continue their postseason run after securing their second-round appearance.
