Florida Gators women’s basketball defeats Richmond

Special report on the Florida Gators women’s basketball team:

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Junior Funda Nakkasoglu went 7-for-9 from the three-point arc and led a record-setting team effort from long range in Florida’s 87-80 win against Richmond in the first game of the Savannah Invitational played at the Savannah Civic Center Tuesday evening.

Nakkasoglu finished with a game-high 25 points, as she converted 8-of-11 overall from the field, as well as both free throw attempts to log the 31st 20-point game of her career and her first this season.

The Florida junior had a lot of help in setting the program record for threes in a game, as six different Gators combined to hit 15-of-30 from the arc, passing the previous standard of 13 UF hit at Arkansas on Feb. 1, 2009.

In spite of Florida’s prowess from deep, the Gators still needed to secure the win at the free throw line, where Dyandria Anderson (4-6), Haley Lorenzen (2-2), Delicia Washington (3-4) and Paulina Hersler (1-2) combined to coolly convert 10-of-12 in the final three minutes.

The Gators needed those points, as Richmond tallied nine three-pointers overall and actually totaled 29 field goals compared to UF’s 28 in the game.

The win, which snapped Florida’s two-game slide, begins a run of three games in three days at the Savannah Invite.

What’s Next for the Gators

* Florida continues action tomorrow at 7 p.m. against Stetson (2-2), which dropped a 64-59 decision to Wright State in its opening game.

* Florida vs. Stetson: 27-Game Series: UF leads 24-3 (UF Home: 15-1; Away: 8-2; Neutral: 1-0)

* Last Meeting: Dec. 14, 2015, Gators won 59-54 in Gainesville

How it Happened

* Florida jumped out early behind four three-pointers and took a 24-18 lead by the end of the first quarter.

* Richmond held a 21-18 scoring edge in the second quarter and was able to whittle an 11-point deficit with 8:23 remaining down to three points, as Florida took the 42-39 halftime lead.

* During that first half, Florida dished nine assists on their 16 field goals and committed just four turnovers.

* The Gators extended their first-half lead to nine points, 50-41, thanks to an 8-2 run to begin the third quarter. Richmond, however, staged a 20-9 spree over the next five minutes and 30 seconds and took a 61-59 lead with 33 seconds left in the third.

* Nakkasoglu ended the run with a three, before Richmond’s Micaela Parson, who finished with 17 points, knocked down two free throws with 1.8 seconds on the clock to end the scoring in third and the Spiders took the 63-62 edge into the fourth quarter.

* Florida ripped out huddle in the final frame scoring the first 10 points, as Washington scored the first five points and Hersler capped the spree with a three for a 72-63 advantage.

* After a bucket from Dee Hatcher, Nakkasoglu struck again from deep and Hersler followed with an inside bucket, as the Gator lead swelled to 12 points, 77-65, with 5:54 remaining.

* The teams exchanged scores until the Spiders when on a 7-2 run over a 49-second span and closed to within six, with 35 seconds remaining.

* The teams traded made free throws, with the Gator’s two from Anderson, and Washington capped the scoring with one more from the line and 13 seconds left.

Gator Watch

* Five Gators scored in double figures, led by 25 points from Nakkasoglu, who posted her 56th career double-figure scoring game

* Lorenzen posted 14 points and 10 rebounds for her second double-double this season and sixth of her career

* Washington scored 16 points for her 21st career double-figure scoring game with seven rebounds

* Anderson scored 13 points for her 12th career double-figure scoring game with a game-high six assists

* Hersler added 11 points for her fourth double-figure scoring game this year, sixth of career

Numbers of Note

* This was UF’s first-ever win against Richmond in four tries, with two of those losses coming in overtime. The last meeting between the two teams was back on Dec. 21, 2004.

* Florida shot 46.7 percent (28-60) overall for the game, including the 15-30 effort from three and the 16-22 clip (72.7 percent) at the line.

* The rebounds were even at 37, with both teams collecting nine offensive boards.

* Florida had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio for the third time in four games, with tonight’s 16-to-13 effort.

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* Richmond, which was led in scoring by Alex Parson’s 18 points, held a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter after hitting a blistering 57.1 percent from the floor during the third quarter.

How to Follow the Action at the Savannah Invitational

* Kyle Crooks and Brittany Davis handle the radio duties with the live broadcast on ESPN Gainesville 98.1FM & 850AM WRUF that can be heard online free of charge (link available at FloridaGators.com).

* There will NOT be streamed live online coverage for any of the games at the Savannah Invitational.

Team Ties vs. Stetson

* Stetson assistant coach Daniel Barber was a manager for the Gators during his undergraduate (2012) and master’s degree (2015) tenures. His wife, Robyn, is also a UF grad, a former manager and former student assistant and intern in the Gator Communications Department.

Series Histories

* Florida vs. Richmond: 3-Game Series: UF trails 0-3 (UF Home: 0-1; Away: 0-2; Neutral: 0-0)

* Florida vs. Stetson: 27-Game Series: UF leads 24-3 (UF Home: 15-1; Away: 8-2; Neutral: 1-0)

* Florida vs. Savannah State: 5-game Series: UF leads 3-2 (UF Home: 3-0; Away: 0-2; Neutral: 0-0)

Game Day at a Glance for the Remaining Games at the Savannah Invite
What: Savannah Invitational
Who: Florida (2-2) at the Savannah Invitational vs.

* Stetson (2-2) – Nov. 22, 7 pm

* Savannah St. (1-2) – Nov. 23, 7 pm
Where: Savannah Civic Center (8,500) * Savannah, Ga.

Game Coverage & More!

* Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1FM & 850AM WRUF with Kyle Crooks & Brittany Davis

* Internet Audio: link thru FloridaGators.com (FREE)

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.