Senior guard Deana Allen reaps what she sows, and Florida is enjoying the harvest.
Allen is making the most of her time on the court, providing the Gators a much-needed boost off the bench.
Through seven games, Allen has achieved increases in average rebounds, assists and steals compared with last season despite playing fewer minutes per game this year.
“I just try to maximize my minutes while I’m in,” Allen said. “I just try to find what’s working for me at the time and make that my strength.”
Allen averages 18.7 minutes per game, racking up 8.1 points and 2.6 steals per outing.
She is also tied for second on the team with 2.1 assists per game and ranks second on UF in rebounding with 5.9 per contest.
“Deana is just such an X-factor for us because she’s so hard to guard,” UF coach Amanda Butler said.
“If you can successfully guard her, she’s probably going to get five or six rebounds before you know what happened.”
Allen’s role this season is much different than it was one year ago.
Transferring to UF from Pensacola Junior College, Allen started 18 of 35 games last season for Butler’s mostly inexperienced squad, playing 19.2 minutes per contest.
Now Allen’s role is more defined, and she understands her importance as the first player off the bench.
“It may not be my best night, but I still try to contribute (with) some form of energy and just motivation to the girls,” Allen said. “Even if I’m not having a good game.”
In the season-opening 69-66 loss to Michigan, Florida missed the enthusiasm of Allen, who sat out due to a concussion suffered in preseason practice.
The game featured 29 lead changes and 13 ties, but the Gators were unable to overcome disappointing performances on both sides of the ball.
“In no way is [Allen’s absence] an excuse for tonight’s lack of execution,” Butler said after the loss to the Wolverines.
However, since that game, Florida has executed much better.
UF went on a six-game winning streak that included an upset of then-No. 21 Florida State before losing to No. 11 Rutgers 63-49 on Friday.
“I can’t even tell her how much it means to have someone of her caliber to come off the bench and really be that spark plug,” redshirt senior guard Jordan Jones said. “She’s embraced it, and she’s doing a lot for this team right now.”
As the Gators prepare for their first two true road games of the season this week against San Francisco and Pacific, they will be relying on Allen for more than her efficiency.
Mainly, Butler appreciates how Allen senses the “urgency of the moment” when she’s out on the floor.
“She’s playing as hard as she possibly can,” Jones said. “I think she’s playing harder than anyone in the country right now, really.”
Senior guard Deana Allen is averaging 8.1 points, 2.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game off the bench for Florida.
