Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida returns to Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center and plays host to Georgia in the final regular-season game for both teams. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 noon.
 
The game will be televised by ESPNU with Jenn Hildreth and Sue Bird calling the action.
 
The matchup is the second this season between the Gators and Lady Dawgs. Florida took the 76-68 decision in Athens on January 22.
 
The game is also the 70th meeting between the two programs.
 
Senior Day

• Florida's two seniors - Tyshara Fleming and Ronni Williams - will be honored in a POSTGAME ceremony for their contributions to the team.

 
Twice the Fun

• During the 2016-17 season's 16-game SEC schedule, the Gators will have played Georgia (their 'permanent' rival), Tennessee and Texas A&M twice.

 
Florida vs. Georgia: The Series

• 69-Game Series: UF trails 16-53 (UF Home: 10-23; Away: 6-28; Neutral: 0-2)
• The Gators won this year's meeting in Athens, 76-68, on January 22, halting Georgia's three-game win streak in the series.
• The Dawgs have won seven of the last nine games against Florida.
• The other Gator win during that span was a rare victory (51-48) in Athens on Feb. 12, 2015. That was just the fifth win all-time in Stegeman for UF.
• Florida's last HOME win against Georgia was on Feb. 19, 2012 (61-57).
• Trend: 15 of the last 16 meetings between the two teams have been decided by 11 points or less.

 
What Just Happened

• On Thursday, Florida lost a heartbreaker at Tennessee, 74-70, and dropped its third consecutive game.
• Georgia defeated Alabama in overtime, 71-65, and won its second straight game - both in overtime. It was the third overall overtime SEC victory for the Dawgs this season.

 
What's Next for the Gators

• Following Sunday's game, Florida will travel to Greenville, S.C., to compete in the SEC Tournament.
• All 14 teams play in the event that begins with two first-round games on Wed., March 1 at 11 a.m.
• Each of the first three rounds will be televised by SEC Network with Courtney Lyle and Tamika Catchings calling the action for the 'day' games and Pam Ward pairs with Gail Goestenkors to call the 'Night' games. Gator great Steffi Sorensen will be the sideline analyst/reporter for every game.

 
Florida's SEC Seeding

• The Gators are locked into playing on the first day of the SEC Tournament (Wed., March 1) and can be either the 11, 12 or 13 seed.
• For the 11 seed, Florida must defeat Georgia AND Ole Miss beats Texas A&M AND Missouri beats Alabama. If any of those three outcomes do not happen, Florida is either the 12 or 13 seed.
• For the 12 seed, if Florida defeats Georgia OR Vanderbilt loses at LSU.
• For the 13 seed, if Florida loses to Georgia AND Vanderbilt defeats LSU.

 
Gator Watch

• In addition to leading the Gators in scoring with 18.7 points per game (19.3 ppg in SEC games), Ronni Williams also leads the squad in rebounding (7.9 pg) and free throw percentage (72.8%) and is second for assists (66) and field goal percentage (53.7%).
• With her 43-point, 14-rebound effort against Vanderbilt (Jan. 29), she became the first SEC player to drop 40 and 10 since in a game since the 2003 season!
• Williams became the 24th Gator to score 1,000 career points, doing so on Dec. 3 vs. Long Beach State.
• She became the 15th Gator to collect 700 career rebounds, eclipsing the mark on January 5 at LSU.

 
Williams in Rare Gator Company

• Ronni Williams led UF in scoring as a sophomore and junior and is doing so again this season.
• Only two other Gators have been the Gator's leading scorer in three different seasons: U.S. Olympian Tammy Jackson led the team in 1981-82, 1982-83 and 1984-85; and WNBA star Merlakia Jones was UF's leading scorer in 1991-92, 1993-94 and 1994-85.
• Williams will become the first Gator ever to lead the team in scoring in three consecutive seasons.
• Williams could become the first Gator ever to lead the SEC in scoring. Entering Thursday's game, she sits atop the all-games and SEC-only games list.

 
 
Who's Hot

• Over the last THREE games, Brooke Copeland has converted 6-of-13 from the three-point arc (46.2%).
• In the last THREE games, Dyandria Anderson is averaging 6.3 assists per game.

 
Notes from Florida's Last Game: lost at TENNESSEE, 74-70 (Feb. 23)

• Ronni Williams scored a game-high 22 points with nine rebounds but Tennessee ended the game on a 13-2 run and rallied for a 74-70 win.
• Haley Lorenzen drilled a 3-pointer and gave the Gators a 68-61 lead with 3:58 remaining. The Lady Vols countered with the next five points.
• Williams collected her fifth personal with 1:37 reaming and the Gators clinging to a 68-66 lead, but Florida was unable to pick-up for their sidelined leader, as Tennessee scored seven of its 13 points from the free throw line during the final 2:29 of the game to take the decision.
• It was a disappointing final score for the Gators, who led for almost 26 minutes compared with the Vols 9:21 time lead.
• There were 9 lead changes and 8 tied scores.
• Florida made five more field goals, including two more three-pointers, than UT, which hit 20-of-28 free throws compared with the Gator's 4-of-6 effort.
• The Gators were whistled for 22 fouls, the Lady Vols 8
• Florida hit an efficient 6-of-13 three-pointers, with four Gators converting from long ranged paced by Brooke Copeland's three
• This the first time this year Florida has lost a game when an opponent has shot less than 40 percent. UT hit 39.1 percent during the game.

 
Gripping Gators

• Over the previous three-plus seasons, the team has played a combined 58 games decided by 10 points or less, with a 30-28 record)
• In 2016-17, the Gators are 4-9 in games decided 10 points or less (3-7 SEC).

 
Game Day at a Glance

• Who: Florida (13-15, 4-11 SEC) at Georgia (15-13, 7-8 SEC)
• Where: Exactech Arena (10,151) * Gainesville, Florida
• When: Sun., February 26 * 12 Noon ET
• Tickets: Reserved General Admission (sections 23-29) - $7
  • Adult General Admission - $5
  • Children 12 and Under (non-reserved, GA seating) - FREE
  • UF and SFC Students, with valid ID - FREE
  • Courtside Seats - SOLD OUT

• Parking: There will be a FREE shuttle available to help alleviate traffic and parking congestion with women's basketball and baseball playing at Noon and 1 p.m., respectively.

 
Game Coverage & More!

• Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 and SPORTSRADIO 930 with Adam Schick & Brittany Davis
• Internet Audio: FloridaGators.com (FREE) - 
• Television: ESPNU with Jenn Hildreth & Sue Bird
• Streaming Video: SEC Network + 
• Internet Scoring: LIVE through sidearmstats.com/florida/wbball/

 
Game Notes

• Florida 
• Georgia 

 
Opening Tip

• Today's game is the final regular-season game for both teams, as well as the final home games for Gator seniors Ronni Williams & Tyshara Fleming.
• This is the second meeting and 70th all-time between UF and UG. The Gators won that, 76-68, on January 22 in Athens.
• Three of the Gators' four SEC wins have been on the road.
• Nine of UF's last 11 games have been decided by 10 points or less.
• Florida is 4-9 in games decided by 10 points or less this season, including 3-7 in SEC games.
• UF's Ronni Williams is the No. 1 scorer in the SEC overall and in league games. Her highlight game is a 43-point, 14-rebound performance against Vanderbilt (Jan. 29).

 
Additional Hoopla for Sunday's Game 
Presented by Honda of Gainesville - Car on site at Main Atrium

• Senior Day: Seniors Ronni Williams and Tyshara Fleming will be honored postgame for their great Gators careers!
• Gators Blanket Giveaway: The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a Gators Basketball fleece blanket! - Location—Main Atrium
• Champions of Character: Presented by Campus USA. It's the second chance for local elementary and middle schools to nominate 10 outstanding students for recognition during the game! All nominated students will receive a t-shirt and certificate upon checking in at the game. - Registration location—Practice Court (between gates 3 and 4)
• Educational Expo: A new feature of our Champions of Character games, all kids in attendance will be able to learn about nutrition, fitness, and academics from UF groups! - Location—Practice Court (between gates 3 and 4)
• Lunch Box Giveaway: The first 250 kids in attendance will receive a unique Gators lunch box! - Location—Main Atrium
• O'Dome Arcade: Throwback arcade games will be setup and available for all fans in the concourse, including Pac Man and Madden Football! - Location—Main Atrium
• Movie in the Dome: Stay in the O'Dome after the game and enjoy the movie Finding Dory on the new video boards with your family and friends!
• Kids Korner: Check out great games and activities for kids in attendance, featuring poster making, tailgate games, face paint, and more! - Location—Practice Court
• Rowdy Reptile Check-In: Students, check-in on your mobile app to earn points towards great prizes all year long!
• Enter to Win: $200 Nike Gift Card - Location—Main Atrium

 
Gator Pronunciations:

• DYANDRIA Anderson: dee-ANN-dree-uh
• TYSHARA Fleming: tie-SHEER-uh

 
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