Balanced scoring and lockdown defense helped the Gators cruise to an exhibition victory on Friday night.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Balanced scoring, defense and dominant post play highlighted a Friday night exhibition victory for Florida women’s basketball, with the Gators defeating Flagler College, 101-56.
The Gators managed to impose their will in the post and defensively from the opening tip. On Flagler’s second possession of the game, Florida pressure forced a 10-second violation, only to be followed by a shot clock violation from the Saints just possessions later.
For the game, Florida forced 22 turnovers while recording 14 steals of their own. Veteran playmaker Kiara Smith led defensive charge with four steals of her own, in addition to eight points, six rebounds and six assists on no turnovers. Flagler ended the evening shooting just 16-of-54 (29.6%) from the field.
Offensively, the game plan for the Orange & Blue was clear, as the first five field goals came in the paint before a Jordyn Merritt jumper expanded the range. Control of the paint remained in the Gators’ favor, ending the game with a 62-14 advantage in the paint.
Freshman Alberte Rimdal tallied 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-6 from deep, to lead all scorers while Zippy Broughton and Taliyah Wyche also crossed the double-digit threshold with 16 points each. As a team, UF shot 39-of-79 (.49.4%) from the field and 7-of-29 (24.1%) from long distance. Florida assisted on 18-of-39 made baskets.
The tempo accelerated in the second quarter, starting with a 7-0 run from the Gators to push their lead to 36-15 at the media timeout. A pair of triples from Rimdal helped to keep the offense rolling, with the Gators holding a 51-20 halftime advantage.
The Saints wouldn’t go away, however, using an early 8-0 run in the third frame to pull back within 56-30 at the 6:18 mark. Responding with what built their lead, Florida went back into the paint for a Nina Rickards layup to end the run, serving as the spark of a 11-2 run of their own.
Florida’s defense continued to wear down the Saints, posting another impressive quarter, forcing six turnovers from the opposition to go along with an efficient four steals.
From the 3:52 mark of the third quarter to the 7:47 mark of the fourth, the Gators delivered a lockdown performance to put the Saints away for good. Utilizing a 21-0 run during that time, including 11-straight to open the final frame, UF opened-up an 87-33 lead, eventually surpassing the century-mark for a 101-59 victory.
Florida will be back in action next Tuesday, Nov. 9, when they welcome Georgia State to Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center at 5 p.m. ET.
Final Quotes
Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley
…On Rimdal’s Performance
“I wasn’t surprised, that’s how she prepares every single day so she’s just really steady. She’s a great floor leader and she has a great basketball sense. She’s talented in so many ways and I thought that obviously 19 points in about 18 and a half minutes is big time. She’s going to be able to help our team in a lot of different ways, not only in scoring but her passing and how she sees the floor as well.”
…On What She Learned Today
“We’re really deep. We have a lot of players that can contribute depending on what the game calls for. Different games call for different opportunities for different players and it’s really important that everybody stays ready because of that.”
Senior Guard Zippy Broughton
…On What Brought Her to Florida
“Honestly Kelly, when she recruited me the feels from when she was recruiting me back in high-school came rushing back all over again, and I couldn’t have that heartbreak again from going to another school so I’m here at UF.”
…On Team Chemistry
“Team chemistry is always improving. That’s something with every team. We have a lot of new players so in practice Kelly’s always trying to mix-it-up and see who gels together the best, so the chemistry is always improving and that’s something we always want to work on.”
Postgame Bites
– 13-of-14 players who saw action in Friday’s game managed to score a bucket.
– The 101-point performance marks the first time Florida has passed the century-mark since Dec. 28, 2016 when they defeated Southeastern Louisiana, 102-51.
– Friday’s victory was the biggest win for the Gators since a 44-point victory over Florida A&M on Dec. 1, 2019, 84-40.
– The first bucket of the year came off of a Jordyn Merritt layup.
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