Florida
used big scoring nights from a pair of freshmen along with the
combination of crisp outside shooting and a strong post presence to
defeat Troy, 87-62, at the O’Connell Center on Tuesday night.
Rookies
Carlie Needles and Sydney Moss each scored 18 points in a myriad of
ways to combine for 36 points with the pair reaching double-figures in
the first half alone as they scored a combined 21 points in the game’s
first 20 minutes and helped UF to a 44-36 lead at the break.
Preseason
Naismith Player of the Year Candidate Jennifer George posted her first
double-double of the season and the 20th of her career, as she
contributed 14 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, while junior
transfer Vicky McIntyre also recorded a double-double with 10 points and
10 rebounds, her first double-double as a Gator and the third one of
her career.
Redshirt
junior Lily Svete scored a career-high 14 points and led the Gators
with four of the team’s seven 3-point baskets, as Florida drilled
7-of-11 from long range, as well as 52.5 percent (31-of-59) overall from
the floor en route to its highest scoring output of the season.
“I thought it was great balance,” UF head coach Amanda Butler said. “We’ve got a lot of people that can be threatening. I thought offensively we did a really good job of working well together, but everyone individually took their shots at the right time. I thought we had great teamwork and great shot selection.”
