Photo by Benjamin Fox / ChompTalk.com

Survive and advance. That’s the name of the game this time of year. And that’s exactly what the Florida women did on Wednesday.

The 13-seeded Gators defeated 12-seeded Ole Miss 64-57 to open the SEC Tournament on Wednesday behind a strong defensive performance.

Florida received major contributions from junior G Delicia Washington and senior G Funda Nakkasoglu, who each scored 17 points.

The Gators came out with a defensive intensity that allowed the team to take an early lead. At halftime, the score was only 18-16.

Florida built a big lead in the third and fourth quarters, (as big as 17 in the fourth) en route to the victory.

Fast stats:

• Delicia Washington scored 17 points and added 8 rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench.
• Funda Nakkasoglu scored 17 on 4-10 shooting, including 3-7 from deep.
• Florida recorded 14 fast break points but allowed Ole Miss none.
• After only scoring 18 first half points, the Gators scored 46 in the second half.

Quotable

• Coach Cam Newbauer: “Really proud of our squad for the toughness and resilience that we showed from a defensive standpoint.”
• Senior guard Funda Nakkasoglu: “just having confidence in each other. We play for each other.”
• Junior guard Delicia Washington: “coming out of halftime, being a little more aggressive and giving up good shots for great shots.

What’s next:

Florida will face Missouri in the second round of the SEC Tournament on Thursday. The Gators defeated the Tigers in Gainesville 58-56 in January.