Jones, Gators find 3-point shooting eyes

MIAMI – Sophomore Jordan Jones scored a season-high 25 points and Florida hit a season-high dozen 3-pointers in a 71-60 victory over host FIU in the consolation game of the FIU Thanksgiving Classic Sunday at the U.S. Century Bank Arena.

Coach Amanda Butler’s Gators (3-3) hit 12 of 26 shots (46 percent) from beyond the 3-point arc while holding FIU (2-4) to just 5-of-19 shooting from outside.

“When you win on someone else’s home court you have to be happy,” Butler said. “It wasn’t the prettiest and we felt like we could have done some things different in the second half, but they just wouldn’t go away and you have to give FIU the credit for the effort and the fight that they played with tonight.”

Florida held a 41-31 rebounding effort, including 17 on the offensive end. The Gators did commit 22 turnovers that FIU converted into 18 points, but the Panthers made 18 turnovers which led to 7 points for the Gators.

Jones hit five 3-pointers and was 9-of-16 overall. Senior Sharielle Smith added 12 points and nine rebounds and senior Steffi Sorensen scored 10 points and had eight rebounds and a game-high five assists to earn an all-tournament team spot.

“Jordan played her best game as a Gator. She made great decisions in intense situations,” Butler said. “We won the rebounding war, coming up with some huge rebounds down the stretch.”

Jennifer George scored the opening points of the second half to give the Gators a 39-31 lead and the teams traded baskets until FIU’s Elisa Carey scored and Fanni Hutlassa sank a 3-pointer to cut Florida’s lead to 41-39.

Jones followed with a 3-pointer at the 15-minute mark and then Smith and Jones hit treys to put the Gators up 50-42 with 13:01 left. Again, FIU closed to within four, but a 3-pointer by Smith and baskets by Jones and Lonnika Thompson gave Florida an 11-point lead, 57-46, with 8:21 remaining. FIU closed to within four points, 64-60, with 2:26 left but Florida finished with a 7-0 run for the victory.

Elisa Carey led FIU with 17 points, and Fanni Hutlassa added 15 points and Michelle Gonzalez 14.

The Gators return home to join the men’s team in hosting their counterparts from Florida A&M on Tuesday. The women’s game is at 4:30 p.m. and the men’s game follows at 7.

St. John’s defeated Saint Joseph’s, 81-74, in the championship game.

FLORIDA 71, FIU 60

At FIU Thanksgiving Classic

U.S. Century Bank Arena, Miami

FLORIDA (71) – Jennifer George 3-6 0-1 6, Azania Stewart 2-3 0-0 4, Lonnika Thompson 2-4 0-1 5, Steffi Sorensen 3-9 2-2 10, Susan Yenser 1-3 0-0 3, Christal Caldwell 0-0 0-0 0, Tessah Holt 0-1 0-0 0, Ndidi Madu 1-3 0-0 2, Trumae Lucas 2-5 0-1 4, Sharielle Smith 4-10 1-2 12, Jordan Jones 9-16 2-4 25. TOTALS 27-60 5-11 71.

FIU (60) – Elisa Carey 7-10 3-7 17, Marquita Adley 1-4 1-2 3, Michelle Gonzalez 4-15 5-7 14, Fanni Hutlassa 5-10 2-2 15, Ashley Traugott 1-10 0-0 3, Cherisse Buddy 1-1 0-0 2, Maja Krajacic 2-2 2-2 6. TOTALS 21-52 13-20 60.

Halftime: Florida 37, FIU 31. Shooting: Florida 27 of 60 for 45 percent; FIU 21 of 52 for 40.4 percent. 3-point shooting: Florida 12-26 (Jones 5-10, Smith 3-5, Sorensen 2-7, Thompson 1-2, Yenser 1-2); FIU 5-19 (Hutlassa 3-7, Gonzalez 1-5, Traugott 1-7). Rebounds: Florida 41 (Smith 9, Sorensen 8, Stewart 6); FIU 31 (Hutlassa 7, Traugott 7, Carey 6, Adley 6). Assists: Florida 19 (Sorensen 5, Lucas 4, Jones 3); FIU 13 (Gonzalez 4, Hutlassa 4, Traugott 4). Blocked shots: Florida 3 (George, Stewart, Smith); FIU 4 (Carey 2). Steals: Florida 12 (Jones 3, Lucas 3); FIU 10 (Gonzalez 4, Hutlassa 4). Turnovers: Florida 22, FIU 18. Total fouls (fouled out): Florida 20 (none); FIU 17 (Adley). Technicals: None. Officials: Nan Sisk, Jeff Falconer, Chad Armstrong. A—321.