At 5-foot-6, Carlie Needles is the shortest player on Florida’s roster. But Needles came up huge in the waning moments of the Gators’ victory on Sunday.
With 12 seconds remaining and UF clinging to a three-point lead, Needles blocked LSU guard Adrienne Webb’s game-tying shot attempt.
Needles’ first career block helped Florida seal a 77-72 victory against LSU (10-5, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) in the O’Connell Center.
“She’s fearless; that’s what makes Carlie special,” coach Amanda Butler said. “Carlie is a tireless worker and really tough.”
Needles added: “I really didn’t even try to block it. I was just trying to get up and not let her get that three. (It was) a big stop for us.”
Florida (12-4, 1-1 SEC) was without senior Jennifer George down the stretch. With 5:06 left in the second half, George tangled with Webb under the Tigers’ basket.
George’s right elbow and shoulder were caught under her body when she crashed violently to the court.
George screamed in pain and had to be helped off the floor by Florida’s medical staff.
The forward returned to the bench minutes later with her right shoulder heavily wrapped and in a sling.
After the game, Butler said she was unsure of the extent of her injury but would have a better estimation today.
“[The medical staff] told me she wanted to go back in the game,” Butler said. “I’d say that’s probably a good indication.”
Before suffering the injury, George scored the first seven points of the game and finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, her seventh double-double of the season.
George exited the game with the score tied 62-62. Minus their top scorer, the Gators turned to junior Jaterra Bonds.
Bonds scored a game-high 19 points, including seven following George’s departure.
“When [George] left, we were still able to grind it out and finish,” Bonds said.
“We were able to fight back and bounce back on our home court.”
With Sunday’s victory, the Gators have won 15 consecutive games in the O’Connell Center.
More importantly, Sunday’s win helped Florida avoid an 0-2 start in SEC play.
“The way we won the game today is really important,” Butler said.
“You aren’t going to play a lot of SEC games that are decided by 15 or 20 points. It’s just not going to happen. You’re going to have to grind it out to win games in this league.”
Contact Phillip Heilman at pheilman@alligator.org
Redshirt freshman guard Carlie Needles (left), assistant coach Murriel Page (center) and the Gators cheer from the bench during Florida’s 77-72 win against LSU on Sunday in the O’Connell Center.
