Freshman Delicia Washington scored a game-high 25 points to lead the Gators, who dropped an 84-76 decision to Texas A&M at Reed Arena Thursday evening.
Rebounding and an Aggie scoring run late in the third quarter were the keys to the game, as Florida dropped its second game this season to Texas A&M by single digits.
TAMU held a 44-28 rebounding advantage, Florida’s largest rebound deficit of the year. 18 of the Aggies rebounds were on the offensive end.
It was a tough third quarter for the Gators, who were outscored, 24-16, during the frame. After Haley Lorenzen knocked down a three-pointer from the top of the arc, Texas A&M ripped off a game-changing 15-3 run, as Florida went from down two at 51-49, to trailing by 14 points, 66-52.
Washington ended the third with a three-point-play and the Gators were within 11 points entering the fourth quarter.
TAMU began the final frame with a three-pointer and extended its lead back to 14, before the Gators used a 9-0 spurt and cut their deficit to five points, 69-64. A turnover prevented an even longer run and the Aggies made them pay by scoring the next five points, with the second bucket appearing to be a dagger three that forced UF into a timeout.
The Gators never gave up and came out of the huddle with the next four points thanks to Washington and Lorenzen and were back within six, 74-68, with 3:39 remaining.
The teams traded buckets, but Florida’s two field goals where three-pointers, both by Gator freshman Sydney Morang, who knocked down her career-best fourth three-pointer of the game and Florida was within four points, 78-74, with 1:38 to go.
An Aggie miss on the other end gave Florida a chance to get even closer, but Ronni Williams missed two free throws with 61 seconds remaining and TAMU came down and knocked down a pair from the line for a six-point lead and 37 seconds on the clock.
TAMU came back with three more points and Florida just couldn’t get any of its final shots to fall, as the Aggies continued to connect from the free throw in the final moments to secure the win.
First Half at a Glance
- There were five lead changes and three tied scores in the first 20 minutes of play.
- The game appeared to be tied heading into the halftime locker room, however, Dyandria Anderson was whistled for a foul on Danni Williams, who was launching a shot at the buzzer. Williams made all three free throws, while Anderson picked up her third foul and the Aggies held the 42-39 lead and the momentum.
- At first glance, it appeared the Gators were shooting the ball well, knocking down 47.2 percent (17-36) from the floor, however, Florida missed a number of bunnies inside.
- Biggest stat difference came at the free throw line, where Texas A&M was 15-17 and Florida just 2-3, with one attempt waved off due to a lane violation.
- Freshman Delicia Washington led all scorers with 14 points.
Updated Records:
- Florida: 11-11, 2-7 SEC
- Texas A&M: 16-6, 6-3 SEC
Double-Digit Gators
- Delicia Washington: 25 points (12-20 FG, 1-1 FT) – second highest scoring game of career; third game with 20+ points
- Sydney Morang: 12 points (4-8 3FG) – career-high scoring
- Haley Lorenzen: 11 points (5-12 FG)
Double-Digit Aggies
- All five starters in double-figure scoring
- Khaalia Hillsman: 24 points (8-15 FG, 8-10 FT), 18 rebounds
- Curtyce Knox: 10 points, 13 assists
News & Numbers of Note
- Thursday’s game was Florida’s 17th on the road this season.
- This was the second meeting this season between the Aggies and Gators. Texas A&M won the January 15 meeting – just 18 days ago – in Gainesville, 67-59.
- Four of Florida’s last five games have been decided by single digits.
- Florida is 2-6 in games decided by 10 points or less this season, including 1-4 in SEC games.
Postgame with UF Head Coach Amanda Butler
- VIDEO: http://youtu.be/LfPxuje2LI0
What’s Next for the Gators
- UF returns to Exactech Arena, where the Gators play host to Ole Miss (14-8, 3-6 SEC) on MONDAY at 7 p.m.
- Ole Miss has a mid-week bye from competition.
- The game will be televised live on the SEC Network, with Brenda VanLengen and Carol Ross calling the action.
Other SEC Games in Action Thursday
- TENNESSEE d. LSU, 77-58
- South Carolina d. KENTUCKY, 75-63
- Georgia d. ARKANSAS, 69-66
- Mississippi State at Auburn – late start
Gator Pronunciations for this Release:
- DYANDRIA Anderson: dee-ANN-dree-uh
- Sydney MORANG: mur-RANG (like meringue pie)
- DELICIA Washington: duh-LEE-shuh
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