ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Florida women’s basketball put together an impressive defensive performance to help overcome a slow shooting night, defeating Green Bay at the St. Pete Showcase, 6 1-52.
The Gators (5-1, 0-0 SEC) forced Green Bay (2-2, 0-0 Horizon) into 22 turnovers, resulting in 11 steals, helping them to an 18-9 advantage in points off of turnovers. KK Deans led the way with four steals for UF, while Leilani Correa added three.
Correa was again the offensive spark, leading all scorers with 20 points off of the bench. Jordyn Merritt contributed 17, including a career-best eight made free throws, with Nina Rickards (11) and Faith Dut (10) each crossing the double-figures threshold. For the game, Florida shot 18-of-59 (30.5%) from the field and 6-of-23 (26.1%) from deep. The Phoenix ended 20-of-56 (35.7%) from the floor and 6-of-26 (23.1%) from three-point range.
Green Bay did manage to control the glass on Thursday, outrebounding the Gators, 41-40. Merritt and Rickards each pulled-down seven to pace the Orange & Blue, while 17 of Florida’s rebounds were on the offensive end.
The Phoenix were led by Calle Genke with 10 points and six rebounds.
A key reason for the Gators’ victory in game one of the St. Pete Showcase was at the free throw line where UF ended 19-of-27 (70.4%) compared to just 6-of-6 from Green Bay.
The Gators opened the game with the first four points behind a jumper from Rickards and two free…
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