Friday will mark the first time that the 2021-22 Gator women’s basketball squad takes the court in Exactech Arena.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida women’s basketball is set to take the court for the first time during the 2021-22 campaign on Friday evening, Nov. 5, when they welcome Flagler College to Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
Tipoff with the Saints is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET and the game will be streamed live on SEC Network+ with Kyle Crooks and Brittany Davis on the call.
Excitement is brewing in Gainesville this year with the dominant backcourt of Lavender Briggs and Kiara Smith returning for the Gators. Briggs was named to the Preseason All-SEC First Team following a strong season where she averaged 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game before injury prevented her from played the second half of the season.
Smith, returning after utilizing her COVID eligibility, was the only player in the Southeastern Conference to lead their team in total points, rebounds and assists. Her efforts, in addition to leading the SEC, made her the first Gator to ever accomplish that feat. She was named to the Preseason All-SEC Second Team after averaging 18.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Between the pair, Briggs and Smith were the top scoring duo in the conference last season, combining for 38.3 points per game.
As a team, Florida returns all five starters from a season ago in addition to nine athletes total, losing no one to the transfer portal during the offseason. Nina Rickards, joining Briggs and Smith in the backcourt, also returns to help create the most aggressive rebounding backcourt in the SEC, with the three guards averaging 19.7 rebounds per game last season, the best number in the league.
On the interior, forwards Faith Dut, Jordyn Merritt and Floor Toonders will look to take on an enhanced role for the Blue & Orange. Merritt, a 6-3 sophomore, was named to the SEC All-Freshman team last season after averaging 6.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.
The Gators also utilized the transfer portal to help bolster their backcourt, bringing in senior guard Zippy Broughton from Rutgers. Tabbed as an elite defender, Broughton averaged 8.2 points, 3.4 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, including a six-steal performance against Wisconsin on Dec. 11, 2020.
Looking at the history with the Saints, Florida holds a 4-2 series advantage in the regular season with all six games being played prior to 1980. In their most recent meeting, Florida defeated Flagler in Gainesville, 75-62, in the fall of 1979.
Last season, the Saints ended with a 7-7 mark, including 6-6 in the Peach Belt Conference. Flagler returns all five starters from a season ago, along with nine letterwinners.
Florida is slated to begin the regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 9 when they welcome Georgia State to Gainesville for a 5 p.m. ET matchup. That game will be streamed live on SEC Network+.
OPENING TIP
– Friday marks Kelly Rae Finley’s debut appearance as the interim head coach of the Gators.
– Florida’s last exhibition matchup occurred in 2019 when Florida defeated Valdosta State, 84-38.
– Prior to the 2019 season, the Gators’ last exhibition was during the 2008-09 season when they fell to DT-3, a travel team comprised of recent college stars.
– The first meeting between Flagler and Florida took place during the 1974-75 season, resulting in a UF victory, 63-59.
– Every Gator who was a member of the team during the 2020-21 season has started at least one game.
– Four freshmen and one transfer will make their Florida debut on Friday evening.
– Florida was tabbed to finish 11th in the SEC Preseason Coaches Poll and 12th in the Media Poll. Last season, the Gators ended with a 12-14 mark, including a 3-11 record in SEC play.
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