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Final: Florida 70, Kentucky 62

Florida women’s basketball hadn’t beaten a ranked team since Cameron Newbauer took over the program. In fact, the Gators hadn’t done so since February 2016.

On Sunday, Florida dominated the second half against No. 13 Kentucky and rode a 20-3 run in the fourth quarter to a 70-62 win at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington.

How it happened:

Offensively, the Gators were a mess in the first half. Florida entered intermission with 19 points and 12 turnovers. The Gators trailed by ten at the break.

Florida found the response they were looking for when play resumed.

Lavender Briggs, who shot 0-7 in the opening twenty minutes, found her stride as she made a concerted effort to get to the rim rather than settle for mid-range jumpers.

The Gators outscored the Wildcats 24-17 in the third quarter to close the gap to three at 46-43.

Kentucky opened the fourth quarter with the first five points to stretch the advantage to eight, but Briggs knives down a three to make it a five point lead.

A Briggs three with 5:12 to play gave Florida the lead at 54-53 and the Gators wouldn’t look back. The UF lead stretched to as many as 11 after a Nina Rickards trey with 2:40 to play.

Florida played with an intensity that had been missing for much of the season.

The Gators snapped a five game losing streak and are now 3-6 in SEC play and 12-10 overall.

Individual Stats:

• Lavender Briggs: 18 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists
• Zada Williams: 12 points, 12 rebounds, 5-6 FG
• Nina Rickards: 12 points, 2-3 3FG
• Kiki Smith: 8 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
• Brylee Bartram: 9 points, 3-7 3FG

Team Stats:

• FG% : 42
• 3FG% : 40
• FT% : 60
• Reb+/- : +18
• Assists : 17
• TO: 24
• Bench Points: 17

What’s Next:

Florida returns to the hardwood in one week when they welcome rival Georgia to Exactech Arena.

The Bulldogs are 12-9 on the season including a 3-5 mark in league play. UGA will face Mississippi State on Monday and Missouri on Thursday prior to meeting Florida.