Florida’s shooting eyes were blurred from beyond the 3-point line Tuesday night against Old Dominion at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. But coach Amanda Butler’s Gators were focused from the free-throw line, hitting 10 of 16 foul shots in the final 5:03 during a game-ending 16-4 run that resulted in a 63-55 victory.
Freshman Kayla Lewis scored a career-high 13 points and sophomore Jennifer George pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds as Florida improved to 6-1 heading to Providence, R.I., Saturday and Sunday for the Brown Bear Classic.
Early in the second half, Florida had a 14-3 run that gave the Gators a 39-32 lead. But Old Dominion (3-2) followed with an 8-1 run to tie the game at 40-40 with 9:32 remaining. After the teams traded the lead six times over the next 3½ minutes, Old Dominion outscored Florida 6-1 to take a 51-47 lead with 5:13 left in the second half.
That’s when the Gators ripped off a game-ending 16-4 run, fueled by Lanita Bartley, Jaterra Bonds and some timely free-throw shooting to earn their fourth consecutive win. Bonds scored six of the points, making all four of her free throws. Bartley also scored six points.
“It just felt like Lanita took over the game. She wasn’t going to accept anything except us winning,” Butler said. “When you have two point guards that have the competitive spirit that ours do, then you’ve got a chance every night.”
In addition to her career rebounding night, George came off the bench to scored seven points, including 5-of-7 from the free-throw line. Lewis, who also came off the bench for the first time this year, responded with a career scoring effort, hitting 6-of-10 from the floor and was a bright spot during the first half when the Gators struggled overall with their shot, connecting on just 10 of 32 shots (31.3 percent).
For the game, the Gators hit 21 of 55 shots (38.2 percent) and converted 21 of 36 free throws (58.3 percent). Florida also missed all 11 of its 3-point attempts, ending a streak of 96 games of having at least one.
Bonds recorded 10 points for her third career double-figure scoring game for Florida. Freshman Deaundra Young scored six of her seven points in the second half when Florida outscored Old Dominion, 38-28. Azania Stewart tied a season-high of four blocked shots, while grabbing four rebounds.
“I’m really, really proud of the way we played, battled and fought,” Butler continued. “It was a tremendous team win. Azania (Stewart) sustained us for a while. (Jennifer) George’s rebounds, especially down the stretch were huge. I thought Deaundra Young gave us a spark off the bench. The plays were divided among everyone and I think that’s what makes us really hard to play against.”
Shadisia Green led all scorers with 14 points and four assists, while Tia Lewis added 11 points and Jasmine Parker tallied 10 with four assists, six rebounds and three steals for the Lady Monarchs, who shot 40.7 percent from the floor and hit 8-of-13 from the free-throw line. But Old Dominion also had 25 turnovers that Florida converted into 25 points.
Florida’s opening opponent in the Brown Bear Classic is Providence on Saturday at 4. The Gators then play Brown Sunday at 2 p.m.
FLORIDA 63, OLD DOMINION 55
Game 7 / Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010 / Stephen C. O’Connell Center / Gainesville, Fla.
OLD DOMINION (55) — Jasmine Parker 4-13 0-0 10, Shadasia Green 5-11 4-4 14, Alena Voronina 4-7 1-4 9, Kquanise Byrd 0-1 0-0 0, Tia Lewis 4-7 3-4 11, JoNiquia Guilford 1-4 0-0 2, Rebecca Allison 1-1 0-1 2, Jackie Cook 1-7 0-0 3, Shakeva Richards 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 22-54 8-13 55.
Field-goal shooting: 22 of 54 for 40.7 percent. 3-point shooting: 3 of 15 (Parker 2-8, Cook 1-4, Green 0-1, Byrd 0-1, Guilford 0-1) for 20.0 percent. Rebounds: 38 (Parker 6, Lewis 5, Cook 5). Assists: 11 (Parker 4, Green 4). Steals: 6 (Parker 3). Blocked shots: 1 (Voronina 1). Turnovers: 25 (Lewis 7, Byrd 6, Parker 4). Total fouls (fouled out): 24 (Voronina at 0:22 of second half). Technicals: none.
FLORIDA (63) — Lanita Bartley 4-6 2-8 10, Ndidi Madu 2-9 1-2 5, Deana Allen 0-3 0-0 0, Azania Stewart 2-4 1-2 5, Jordan Jones 2-10 2-4 6, Kayla Lewis 6-10 1-2 13, Deaundra Young 2-3 3-4 7, Lily Svete 0-0 0-0 0, Jennifer George 1-5 5-8 7, Jaterra Bonds 2-5 6-6 10. Totals 21-55 21-36 63.
Field-goal shooting: 21 of 55 for 38.2 percent. 3-point shooting: 0 of 11 (Lewis 0-2, Bonds 0-3, Jones 0-6) for 00.0 percent. Free-throw shooting: 21 of 36 for 58.3 percent. Rebounds: 38 (George 12, Madu 6). Assists: 8 (Allen 3). Steals: 11 (Bartley 4, Jones 3). Blocked shots: 5 (Stewart 4). Turnovers: 13 (Bartley 2, Allen 2, Jones 2). Total fouls (fouled out): 17 (none). Technicals: none.
Halftime: Old Dominion 27, Florida 25. Points in the paint: Old Dominion 30, Florida 30. Points off turnovers: Old Dominion 9, Florida 25. Second-chance points: Old Dominion 8, Florida 11. Fast-break points: Old Dominion 4, Florida 4. Bench points: Old Dominion 11, Florida 37. Score tied: 2 times. Lead changed: 9 times. Largest lead: Old Dominion by 8 (18-10 on layup by Allison) at 8:27 of the first half; Florida by 8 (61-53 on free throw by Jones) at 0:22 of the second half.
Attendance: 937. Officials: Sue Blauch, Beverly Roberts, Ken Drayton. Records: Old Dominion 3-2, Florida 6-1. Next game: Florida vs. Providence in Brown Bear Classic in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m.