Photo Gallery: WBB vs. High Point

The University of Florida women’s basketball team was unable to overcome a 12-point second-half deficit and 11 High Point 3-pointers in a 75-68 loss to the Panthers on Monday in the championship game of the Gator Holiday Classic in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

Senior forward Sharielle Smith led the Gators (5-6) with a team-high 11 points to go along with 11 rebounds for her fifth career double-double and second this season.

Florida, which trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half and was down 56-46 with 11:45 remaining, used a 9-0 run to cut within one, 56-55, on a Jennifer George basket with 6:48 left in the game. After trading baskets, a George hoop at the 4:51 mark gave the Gators their first lead of the second half at 59-58.

High Point then ran off six consecutive points to go up 64-59 before a Jennifer Mossor basket with 2:06 left brought Florida to within three, 64-61. Smith missed a 3-pointer from the left corner and then fouled attempting to grab the offensive rebound. The Panthers’ Lateisha Dean then canned a 3-pointer from the other end to put High Point ahead for good at 67-61.

Florida shot 42.4 percent (28-of-66) from the floor in the game, but connected on just 5-of-25 from beyond the arc. The Panthers, who shot 46.2 percent (24-of-52), thrived from long range, making 11-of-18 3-point goals.

Sophomore guard Trumae Lucas charted a season-high 10 points, while George added nine. Sophomore center Azania Stewart tallied eight points. Senior guard Lonnika Thompson posted a season-high four steals, while senior guard Steffi Sorensen had six points and seven rebounds.

Florida used a dominant post presence to help its cause in the game, out-rebounding the Panthers 39-33 and out-scoring them 40-18 in points in the paint.

High Point (5-6), a member of the Big South Conference, placed three players in double-figure scoring, led by Dean’s game-high 17 points.

Florida returns to action on Monday, Dec. 28, when it plays host to Ohio University in the first game of a Gator Basketball doubleheader that day. Tip-off for the women’s game is slated for 4:30 p.m.

Photo Gallery: UF Women’s basketball vs. High Point, 12/21/09 (click here to view gallery)

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