Gators knock off Presbyterian, off to best start since ’15-16
KK Deans had 18 points and Alberte Rimdal produced 17 as Florida women’s team routed Presbyterian 78-52 on Tuesday night at O’Connell Center.
The Gators (9-1) forced 21 turnovers, their sixth time getting 20 or more this season.
The Blue Hose (3-6) were held to 18-for-56 shooting (32%), including just 7-for-27 from 3-point range (26%), and only had Nuria Cunill reach double figures (10 points, 10 rebounds).
Deans made 7 of 11, including 4 of 5 from 3. Ra Shaya Kyle added 12 points for Florida.
“We were much more consistent late in the first quarter, had a little bit of a lull, and then headed into that second quarter,” Gators coach Kelly Rae Finley said. “I thought, overall, what we’ve been talking about is being more consistent, being more purposeful in our offensive execution, understanding the value of a possession. So, it might have been one of our lower turnover games, probably the lowest of the year, with 11. I’m really pleased with that.”
Florida shot 26-for-57, or 45.6%, and drained 7 of 13 from 3 (53.8%). Taliyah and Tatyana Wyche combined for 17 rebounds
After taking a 16-5 lead, UF was challenged briefly. The Blue Hose cut the deficit to 25-23 in the second quarter and took a 28-27 lead.
The Gators, however, went on an 11-0 run that was punctuated by Deans’ stepback jumper. After halftime they weren’t threatened again.
“Playing with pace is one of our strengths. We really do well in transition,” Deans said. “Our guards get out and our posts run the lanes. We’re getting better at seeing our drags and we don’t have to run a set every time and that’s what makes us really strong. We’ve got to keep that pace up.”
UF is 19-0 under Finley when holding an opponent to less than 60 points. The nine wins in 10 games represents the program’s best start since 2015-16.
“Our attention to detail down the stretch and our execution, I would say, borders on being elite,” said Finley when asked to assess her team after 10 games. “The key for us is being able to sustain that and play for four quarters in that way. We’re growing. We’re definitely improving. I see a much better understanding on the floor of what we’re looking for.”