NCAA Women

Gators Down Phoenix in Defensive Battle on Thanksgiving

Houston

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, 6Β Β Β  1-52.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Phoenix were led by Calle Genke with 10 points and six rebounds.
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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.
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The Gators opened the game with the first four points behind a jumper from Rickards and two free…

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