It's over. Jacksonville defeats UF 75-64.
1:08 TO GO - JACKSONVILLE LEADS 70-62:
It will take almost a miracle for UF to get back in this one. JU is hitting their shots right now and the Gators aren't, and they're not getting turnovers on defense to make up for it. Looks like the Gators will fall to 2-0 on the road. More after the final buzzer.
3:39 TO GO - JACKSONVILLE LEADS 63-57:
The momentum was all Dolphins but Sha Brooks just made a jumper from the left wing and was fouled. Dotson isn't much of a defensive force right now as she looks to avoid her fifth foul. The Gators need to bring this one closer soon or Jacksonville is just a few big shots from putting it away.
4:51 TO GO - JACKSONVILLE LEADS 61-55:
Make that an 8-0 run as Lonnika Thompson missed two free-throws and JU made a quick bucket. Butler is being forced to put Dotson back in the game with 4 fouls because this one is getting away and she knows it. Butler just called timeout. UF ball.
4:58 TO GO - JACKSONVILLE LEADS 59-55
The Dolphins just went on a 6-0 run and the crowd has started to get into it.
Dotson just picked up her fourth foul with 7:22 to play in this game. It was a silly foul trying to hedge out on a screen.
7:55 TO GO - JACKSONVILLE LEADS 50-49:
UF actually led for most of the last stretch until Courtney Jackson was fouled by Marshae Dotson on a 3-pointer and made all three free-throws. Jennifer Mossor, in her first game back from injury, is really trying to lead the way for UF. The sophomore guard continues to drive the paint and doesn't seem worried about her finger.
Quick foul note: Marshae Dotson recently picked up her third foul, but Butler has left her in the game. Most likely because Dotson is a big part of the Gators offense tonight.
11:48 TO GO - JACKSONVILLE LEADS 44-43
This one continues to stay close here. Butler continues to be seem frustrated with the play of Brittaney Thomas and Lonnika Thompson is getting most of the minutes at the point tonight. Depree Bowden is starting to look to lead her team and has 10 points, second-highest for UF.
17:13 TO GO - JACKSONVILLE LEADS 37-35
The Gators have come out uninspired here in this second half. I'll admit I thought UF was simply allowing Jacksonville to stick around in the first half, but it seems like we might really have a ball game on our hands and the longer the Dolphins stick around, the more they'll believe that this is their game to win. Butler called timeout to get her team going.
HALFTIME: UF LEADS 31-30
The lead went back and forth in the last few minutes before the Gators took it with 34 seconds left on two Marshae Dotson free-throws. UF got careless with some of their passes made near the top of the key and Jacksonville began to make cuts on the ball. The Gators will have to be more careful as well as possibly make some backdoor cuts to keep the Dolphins honest.
Some first-half stat highlights:
The two teams have combined for 34 turnovers - 16 for UF and 18 for JU. Dotson leads all scorers with 12. Both teams are shooting above 40 percent from the field. The Gators have not connected from behind the arc - 0 for 4 so far. In case you're wondering UF has made a 3-point field goal in 215 consecutive games.
3:37 TO GO FIRS HALF: UF LEADS 27-26
The Gators have taken the lead again behind four straight points. UF is making better use of their opportunities.
5:41 TO GO FIRST HALF: JACKSONVILLE LEADS 26-23
The Gators went on a 6-0 run just a few moments ago keyed by their defensive coming up with steals and stops. JU called timeout to stop the flurry.
7:26 TO GO FIRST HALF: JACKSONVILLE LEADS 21-15
The Gators have been unable to convert some opportunities. And in typical UF fashion, the game is filled with turnovers, the teams have already combined for more than 20 in just over 12 minutes of action. UF coach Amanda Butler just got on Thompson's case at the beginning of this timeout as the Gators are having difficulty stopping ball on the JU transition game.
11:51 TO GO FIRST HALF: JACKSONVILLE LEADS 10-9
It's been slow going here early on. Mossor has already seen action and scored 3 points after putting back an offensive rebound and getting fouled and making the free-throw.
Lonnika Thompson started at point guard, but Brittaney Thomas came in for her less than three minutes in after Thompson struggled to bring the ball up the court and turned it over a few times.
XX
Well I'm here in Veterans Memorial Arena as we're just approaching tip off. It looks like sophomore guard Jennifer Mossor may see action as she is participating in warm-ups.
And if you thought women's basketball was unpopular in Gainesville, you should see the crowd here. I'm going to go with a rough count of about 50 or so fans in an arena that holds over 5,000.
I'm told there may be a few alumni in the stands tonight, including Dana Smith (1994-98) and Crystal Parker (1992-96).
Some interesting things in the pre-game notes:
- Jacksonville is in the middle of a program-record 12-game home winning streak.
- This is one of only four home games this season that they will play in Veterans Memorial Arena, the rest are played at Swisher Gymnasium.