GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida senior Nina Rickards gave the Gators the boost they needed, recording a career-best 21 points to help the Orange & Blue to an 82-73 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Friday evening.
Rickards’ 21 points for the Gators (3-1, 0-0 SEC) led the way, while Jordyn Merritt (14), KK Deans (11) and Ra Shaya Kyle (10) all scored in double-figures. As a team, the Gators were efficient from the field, shooting 26-of-50 (52%) from the field and 5-of-9 (55.6%) from three-point range.
The stellar night didn’t just include scoring for the Queens, N.Y., native, as she also led UF with eight rebounds, while the team held a 36-29 advantage on the glass over Bethune-Cookman (0-3, 0-0 SWAC).
On the defensive end, Florida forced 20 turnovers which resulted in 13 steals and 18 points-off-turnovers. Merritt recorded three of the Gators’ steals, with two each coming from Leilani Correa, Deans and Faith Dut.
Indiana-transfer, Chanel Wilson, paced the Wildcats with 24 points, four rebounds and three steals.
Holding just a four-point lead with three minutes left, Florida was put into a position to have to close out a game. The Gators didn’t disappoint. Merritt connected on a crucial three-pointer with 1:48 on the clock and less than a minute later, Deans found Kyle over-the-top for a layup to extend the UF lead to 77-68 with just 54 seconds remaining.
Deans and Rickards would close out the game at the free throw…
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