The Gators’ first road trip of the 2011-12 season ended in disappointment.
Just two days removed from a dominant victory over San Francisco, Florida (7-3) lost to Pacific 78-73 Friday in Sacramento.
A slow start and sloppy play sent the Gators into halftime trailing the Tigers 40-32.
“We played really soft in the first half and that credit goes to Pacific,” coach Amanda Butler said. “We did not come out ready to play, which is obviously on me.”
Florida turned the ball over 22 times against 19 giveaways by Pacific (4-3), but what each team did with the takeaways decided the game.
The Tigers scored 25 points off turnovers while the Gators managed just 13.
Despite the loss, the Gators put together another solid night down low, outscoring the Tigers 38-24 in the paint.
Particularly productive in the post were junior forward Jennifer George, senior center Azania Stewart and senior guard Deana Allen.
George blocked two shots and led Florida with 14 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.
Stewart led the Gators with six blocks and grabbed 10 boards on the night, while Allen scored seven points and pulling down nine rebounds.
However, Pacific overcame its lack of prowess in the paint by burying Florida from beyond the arc in the second half.
The Tigers made 11 3-point shots in 16 attempts, including a 6-of-7 effort after halftime.
On the flip side, the Gators finished 3 of 11 from beyond the arc, including just one make in seven attempts in the second half.
“We didn’t step up and defend the three-point line at all and you can’t do that on someone else’s home court,” Butler said.
Friday’s loss was the second defeat in three games for Florida after a loss to No. 11 Rutgers one week ago.
Butler was concerned how her team would respond after falling to the Scarlet Knights.
The blowout win over the Dons on Wednesday was a start, but the loss to the Tigers puts the Gators right back where they were last Friday — in the loss column.
