When asked what went right in Florida’s win over Mississippi State last month, assistant coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick gave a succinct reply.
Jordan Jones and Azania Stewart.
The duo combined for 37 of the Gators’ 67 points in a victory over the Bulldogs on Jan. 30 in Starkville, Miss. Jones’ three-pointer and Stewart’s layup were part of an 8-0 run to open the scoring.
Florida never trailed in the game.
“Those are two of our captains … and I think they came to play that day,” Kirkpatrick said.
But it’s been downhill ever since.
The Gators have lost four straight and eight of their last 10. Jones hasn’t scored in double-digits since Florida’s win at MSU, and the two captains have combined for just 45 points over the four-game losing streak.
Stewart is the key. Her ability to score inside opens up the floor for Jones, a spot-up shooter sitting fourth in the Southeastern Conference with 53 treys.
But the 6-foot-4 center has scored more than 10 points just three times in SEC play, most recently against Alabama on Sunday.
Stewart’s 10 points came in the first half, and she was credited with three straight turnovers to start the second before being subbed out. Jones also scored all of her five points in the first 20 minutes, and both players attempted just one shot in the second half.
With Jones and Stewart absent, the Gators fell apart, committing 17 second-half turnovers and squandering a 10-point halftime lead.
“Obviously, we’re a different team when we have (Jones and Stewart) contributing,” Kirkpatrick said.
After a week off, Florida (14-13, 4-9 SEC) will have a chance to prove that Sunday when Mississippi State (10-14, 2-10 SEC) visits the O’Connell Center at 4:30 p.m.
And to do so, Kirkpatrick said the team must address what it’s doing offensively.
Florida has scored more than 60 points in only two of its nine SEC losses, and after notching season-low turnover numbers against Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, Florida combined for 52 against Tennessee and Alabama.
“I don’t think our bye week could have come at a better time,” Kirkpatrick said.
She said the team would use the extra time to work on its passing and communication, do some positional work and tweak a few of the plays run in its half-court sets.
Kirkpatrick also said Jones’ and Stewart’s leadership was vital to the win in Starkville and will be needed again Sunday.
After losing to Alabama and disappearing in the second half, Jones said she realized the importance of her role as a captain.
“That’s something we lacked, and I take full responsibility for that,” Jones said. “I’m an upperclassman and a guard and a leader on the team, and that should be me.”
