ChompTalk.com

Final: Kansas 76, Florida 66

Lawrence, KS- The Florida Gators women’s basketball team traveled to historic Allen Fieldhouse to face the undefeated Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday.

Despite the result, a 76-66 loss, this game showed just how much Florida has progressed since Cam Newbauer’s first season.

How it happened

The Gators started out hot, taking an 8-2 advantage into the first quarter media timeout. Zada Williams recorded four of those first eight on her way to 12 points in the game. Florida led the Jayhawks 14-10 through one quarter.

By half, Kansas had tied the game. The Jayhawks owned a 28-25 lead with :48 remaining before the intermission, but Kiki Smith converted four free throws while KU’s Brooklyn Mitchell hit one of two from the line to reach the half tied at 29.

Midway through the third quarter, Kansas went on a 12-5 run to put them ahead 46-39. Florida would claw back to within two at 46-44, but a 6-3 run to end the quarter had the Jayhawks ahead by five heading into the final period of play.

The Gators closed the gap to two early in the fourth, but a quick 4-0 response by Kansas put the Jayhawks back up by six. A Smith jumper would cut the lead to three, but the Jayhawks wouldn’t let Florida get any closer.

Kansas finished the game making seven of their last nine from the floor while the Gators only made one of their final nine.

Individual Stats:

• Kiki Smith: 18 points, 5 rebounds
• Lavender Briggs: 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals
• Zada Williams: 12 points, 7 rebounds
• Kristina Moore: 7 points, 5 rebounds
• Nina Rickards: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 5 steals

Game Stats:

• FG%: 39
• 3FG%: 22
• FT%: 60
• Reb+/-: -3
• Assists: 8
• TO: 14
• Bench Points: 15

What’s Next:

Florida has nine days off with finals approaching for the student athletes. The Gators will take on Mercer on Tuesday, December 17 at Exactech Arena.

Mercer is 3-6 on the season (at publication). They are 2-0 in December, but have dropped games against a pair of SEC schools already (111-56 vs Alabama, 76-60 vs Georgia).

Prior to playing in the O’Dome, Mercer will face former Gators head coach Amanda Bulter (Clemson) in a contest that will be streamed on the ESPN app (Sunday, 2 PM).