Azania Stewart needed to shake up her season.
Watching tip-off from the bench for the first time Jan. 12, Stewart had minimal statistical impact in a 61-55 loss to then-No. 19 Georgia.
The 6-foot-4 senior played just 17 minutes, scoring two points and failing to grab a rebound in Florida’s third Southeastern Conference loss in four games.
Except for junior forward Jennifer George — the team’s leading scorer and rebounder — the Gators were lacking offensive punch in the frontcourt.
However, Stewart reversed her fortunes in the paint just one week later in a 61-37 win against Alabama.
George led all post players with 15 points and 12 rebounds against the Crimson Tide, but Stewart was the breakout performer, scoring eight and grabbing 10 boards.
“We really had a double threat on the low block,” coach Amanda Butler said. “It’s crucial to being a great team in this league. You’ve got to control the paint.”
Since defeating Alabama, Stewart has posted some of her best numbers this season.
In the last five games, she is averaging 9.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, which best her season numbers of 5.2 points and 5.3 boards.
Most impressive have been her back-to-back contests with double-digit points, scoring 12 on LSU and a season-high 14 against Ole Miss.
Although UF is only 3-2 during that stretch, Stewart has played well enough on an individual basis to rejoin the starting five.
Stewart says the method behind her increased output of late has been an increased focus on accomplishing more in practice.
“I’m having great practices, not even just on the offensive (end), but just being more vocal with what I do in practice,” Stewart said. “Preparing even for practice like I prepare for games, just trying to transfer that over.”
Butler has not noticed much difference in Stewart’s routine during the week except for the center’s mindset. Stewart is doing a better job of maintaining the momentum she builds up in workouts throughout the week and into games, Butler said.
“Azania just really took to heart needing to play better on the offensive end,” Butler said. “(She’s) just really preparing better, mentally maybe more so than anything.”
Leading up to the Jan. 29 game against Arkansas, Butler emphasized the need for Florida’s five seniors to “take over this season.”
Facing a deficit of 4.5 games to No. 7 Kentucky in the conference standings with six left to play, UF is on the verge of being eliminated from the race.
However, with Stewart and fellow seniors Ndidi Madu and Lanita Bartley trending upward right now, the Gators can use their experience to make a run at a higher seed in the SEC Tournament, which begins March 1.
“There’s just things that happen in your senior year that are just things you feel,” Butler said. “Just a heightened sense of awareness of that clock is ticking on your college career.”
Contact Joe Morgan at joemorgan@alligator.org.
Senior center Azania Stewart has picked up her play as of late, scoring 14 points against Ole Miss and 12 against LSU. She is averaging 9.2 points and 6.6 rebounds in UF’s last five games.
