UF WBK: Gators Return Home for Thursday Contest with Auburn

Florida is coming off an upset victory at then No. 25 Texas A&M.

Florida vs. Auburn
Game Information: Jan. 13 | 5 p.m. ET
Live Stream: SEC Network<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_player_-5F_id_685aa65c-2Dacdf-2D487e-2Dadea-2D6d36a99880d6&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=fzaiSI4pgry6mY5C83y2WXAp_36yVIxmXgyTGXy1L6W5nJXT0YTogj_lU_KgZvjl&s=E9Ht0NJxM2Xvb_G4K4lkGQBIWRKcCBaLxr5ki3pIriU&e= >
Radio: 98.1FM/850AM WRUF<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_showcase-3FLive-3D3702&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=fzaiSI4pgry6mY5C83y2WXAp_36yVIxmXgyTGXy1L6W5nJXT0YTogj_lU_KgZvjl&s=xXi4IcZMzmX9FW8kJo7lTtG37TdarseDKX1EsCGvJzA&e= >
Live Stats: SIDEARM<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_sidearmstats_wbball_summary&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=fzaiSI4pgry6mY5C83y2WXAp_36yVIxmXgyTGXy1L6W5nJXT0YTogj_lU_KgZvjl&s=OXCT5EWIFUTV_1KD9LKw56cRF3hmdtBZwjZRyBMj2P0&e= >
Game Notes: Florida<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_documents_2022_1_11_1-5F13-5FAuburn.pdf&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=fzaiSI4pgry6mY5C83y2WXAp_36yVIxmXgyTGXy1L6W5nJXT0YTogj_lU_KgZvjl&s=-azld3IZqgi_gdo6SWYd5E2EcvL5ob_cC5gLB8_TAC4&e= > | Auburn<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__auburntigers.com_documents_2022_1_12_15-5FFlorida.pdf&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=fzaiSI4pgry6mY5C83y2WXAp_36yVIxmXgyTGXy1L6W5nJXT0YTogj_lU_KgZvjl&s=vjZpJQXfvpl0n5bYp5CN0FCiyuqo3syjMhSUQ5PH-IE&e= >

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida women’s basketball is set to return home on Thursday evening when they welcome Auburn to Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center for a 5 p.m. ET matchup.

The game will be streamed live on SEC Network with Tiffany Greene and Christy Thomaskutty on the call. Kyle Crooks and Brittany Davis will handle radio responsibilities on 98.1FM/850AM WRUF.

Thursday will mark the 62nd meeting between the Gators and Tigers, with Auburn holding a 37-24 advantage in the series. Florida, however, currently boasts a three-game win streak, most recently winning at the 2021 Southeastern Conference Tournament on Mar. 3, 69-62.

The Gators enter Thursday’s contest fresh off of a victory over then-No. 25 Texas A&M in College Station, marking the first victory for Florida on the road in series history. Facing a 19-point deficit in the third quarter, Florida rallied to defeat the Aggies in double overtime, 97-89, behind a career-high 28 points from Zippy Broughton in addition to seven rebounds. Veteran Kiara Smith added 27 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. As a team, UF connected on 13 triples, tied for the third-best outing in program history.

Sunday’s dramatic comeback also marked the largest comeback for Florida in the quarter-era and second-largest comeback in school history. The largest comeback occurred on Jan. 4, 1992 when the Gators rallied from a 20-point hole at Alabama to win, 103-102, in double overtime.

As mentioned, Broughton had the best day of her collegiate career on Sunday, tallying career-bests in eight statistical categories including points (28), field goals (10), field goals attempted (19), three pointers (3), free throws made (5), free throws attempted (6), rebounds (7) and blocked shots (2). The 28 points is the highest point total by a Gator this season.

With the victory over No. 25 Texas A&M, Florida earned their first ranked-victory since defeating #22 Arkansas, 83-80, on Feb. 23, 2020. It also marked the first victory over a ranked opponent on the road since a 70-62 win over No. 13 Kentucky on Jan. 12, 2020.

Smith continues to remain elite defensively for the Orange & Blue, as she currently sits at 10th nationally with a total of 44 steals on the year. She is also ranked 32nd in the nation in steals per game, averaging 2.75 during each outing. Those numbers are good for third and fourth in the SEC, respectively.

The District Heights, Md., native also finds herself in a class all her own when it comes to rebounding. Smith is just one of five active point guards to have surpassed 500 rebounds, owning 542 for her career. She is joined by Haley Cavinder (Fresno State), Jennifer Coleman (Navy), Seraphine Bastin (Wichita State) and Stella Clark (Monmouth).

Auburn enters Thursday’s contest with a record of 8-6 and 0-3 in SEC play. The Tigers, who own a NET ranking of 95th, are coming off of a 76-48 loss against LSU.

– #GoGators –