The Gators converted 13-of-29 three-pointers and reset the program record for treys in a season in their hard-fought 85-80 setback at No. 17 Texas A&M at Reed Arena on Thursday.
Funda Nakkasolgu scored 24 points, one shy of her season-high, and Haley Lorenzen scored a career-best 22 points on 10-of-16 shooting to led the Gators offensively.
Paulina Hersler record the third double-double of her career with 15 points and 11 rebounds, as the Gators converted 50 percent (31-62) from the floor during the night.
Delicia Washington, who finished with 11 points, left the game with 23 seconds remaining in the third quarter and the Gators (10-16, 2-11 SEC) were not the same without the athletic sophomore guard on the court.
During the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, Hersler tacked on a three-pointer and Lorenzen followed with a bucket that gave Florida a 67-60 lead.
Texas A&M (20-7, 9-4 SEC) then turned up is defensive pressure and with Washington on the bench, the Gators committed four costly turnovers in an 18-second span that the dropped their lead to two.
Nakkasoglu scored the next three points of the game, before TAMU marched off seven consecutive points that started a 14-4 run and the hosts took an 80-74 lead with 61 seconds remaining.
Chennedy Carter and Anriel Howard led the Aggies with 28 and 21 points per game, respectively.
Season Record for Three-Pointers
- Florida needed nine three-pointers entering tonight’s game to break the program’s season record that was 221 set by the 2008-09 team. The 2009-10 squad finished with 220 three-pointers.
- Florida connected on 13-of-29 from beyond the arc tonight – the 10th time the team has hit double-figures from deep.
- This season six different Gators have hit double-digit three-pointers.
Close Ones
- Tonight was Florida’s 14th game – including its ninth in the SEC – decided by 10 points or less (4-10 overall, 1-8 SEC).
Ranked Run
- Each of Florida’s last six games have been against ranked opponents.
- Four of the games have been on the road.
- Four of the games have been decided by single digits.
- The Gators led Georgia and South Carolina by 10 points, Texas A&M by seven points and Missouri by five points but just weren’t quite able to finish the job.
Individual Numbers of Note
- Haley Lorenzen scored a career-high 24 points, topping her previous high of 20 scored three times in her career and twice this season.
- Paulina Hersler recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds for the third double-double of her career and season.
- Lorenzen blocked one shot in the first half which was the 111th of her career, moving her past Aneika Henry into sole possession of ninth place in UF history.
- Lorenzen became 10th Gator to start 100 career games
- Dyandria Anderson started her 75th career game
UF Coach Cameron Newbuaer, Postgame Press Conference
What’s Next for the Gators
- Florida returns to Exactech Arena and plays host to Vanderbilt on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Gator Pronunciations for this Release:
- DYANDRIA Anderson: dee-ANN-dree-uh
- FUNDA NAKKASOGLU: FOON-da knock-ah-SO-glue
- DELICIA Washington: duh-LEE-shuh
- Final box: http://floridagators.com/documents/2018/2/15//26_TAMU85_UF80.pdf
- Highlights: http://floridagators.com/watch/?Archive=9807&type=Archive
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