Special to GC
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Senior Kayla Lewis scored a game-high 18 points and collected 11 rebounds to lead Florida to a 67-58 win against Vanderbilt at Memorial Gymnasium on Super Bowl Sunday. In addition to Lewis, it was the veterans who guided the Gators to victory on the difficult court, as junior Cassie Peoples scored 11 points with five assists, junior Carlie Needles scored 10 points, as did junior January Miller, who converted 6-of-6 from the free throw line that included four in the final three minutes. One game removed from the team's struggles from the free throw line when it converted just 9-of-19 from the charity stripe, the Gators stepped up and coolly nailed 18-of-19, including their final 10 attempts that came within the last 7:41 of the game. The Gator's youngsters weren't to be overlooked, though, as sophomore Ronni Williams was a power inside with nine points on 3-4 shooting and 3-3 free throws with three rebounds before fouling out with 5:28 remaining. Freshmen Haley Lorenzen and Brooke Copeland added six and three points, respectively. Lorenzen hit both ends of a one-and-one free throw trip with 5:51 to play that capped a 7-0 run and gave the Gators a 52-39 lead. Copeland, who had in excess of 70 family members and friends who made the 3 hour drive from Cleveland, Tennessee, canned a three-pointer with 5:06 remaining in the first half that ended Vanderbilt's 7-0 run that brought the 'Dores within three points and gave Florida a 25-18 advantage. Vanderbilt scored the first six points of the game before Williams got the Gators on the board with a three-point play that sparked a 9-0 run capped by Miller's layup after she collected a defensive rebound and drove the length of the court for the score. Florida wouldn't trail again in the game, as Vanderbilt managed to tie the game at 9 shortly after Miller's score, but the Gators responded with four points from Lorenzen and a three from Needles to start a 13-2 march that also included a successful press break where Copeland found Lewis under the bucket for the layup. The Dores tried another rally after that with seven straight points and were within three, but that's when Copeland got on the board with her trey. It was back and forth for the next couple minutes before Florida used a 9-0 spurt for a 15-point lead that covered the end of the first half and the beginning of the second. Vandy did use a 9-0 run that closed the Gator lead to six points, 37-31, with 14:39 to go, but the Gators stepped up at the line with four straight - two each from Peoples and Lewis - and regained the double-digit lead. Florida's advantage was tested one more time when the hosts closed to within six points, 45-39, with 8:37 to go, but that's when Florida began zoning in at the free throw line and got timely perimeter shots to close out the big victory. Updated Record: Florida 11-11, 3-6 SEC ... Vanderbilt 12-10, 4-6 SEC Quotes from the Court - UF Head Coach Amanda Butler On the Win: "I'm really, really proud of the way we communicated with each other. This is such a tough gym and brings challenges to you but the main one is your leadership, especially from the point guard position right down to everyone on the court." On Kayla Lewis: "I thought Kayla Lewis was exceptional. She really was a warrior." On the entire team contributing: "We had great guard play today. January Miller made in some crucial moments. Cassie Peoples made great decisions with the ball in her hands. Carlie Needles hit timely threes. Right across the board we had contributing players and they were crucial in big moments."