It appeared the Florida women’s basketball team had begun to correct the slow starts it has shown in the opening minutes of the game.
But the Gators looked flat and hesitant from the beginning, and never quite recovered as Florida (5-2) fell to Savannah State 68-58 on the road Thursday night.
Coach Amanda Butler has stressed to the team repeatedly over the season about the need to open the game with an uptempo pace, yet after Florida lost its first game by double digits this season, Butler repeated the problems that have plagued the team over the early going.
"The way we start the game, valuing the possessions," Butler said, addressing Florida’s difficulties. "Now we’re learning the hard way."
The full court press the team has favored this season was unable to force turnovers, with Savannah State (4-1) consistently beating the pressure and scoring points in transition.
Florida has relied on forcing turnovers this season to score quick baskets, but the Tigers committed just eight turnovers, and the Gators scored just eight points off of those turnovers.
On the contrary, the Gators were consistently sloppy, committing 25 turnovers in what was an uncharacteristically lackadaisical effort on both sides of the court.
The Tigers made sure to capitalize on Florida’s mistakes, scoring 30 points off of the Gators’ carelessness with the basketball.
Scoring a season-low 58 points, Florida got 15 points from redshirt junior Cassie Peoples, who has been playing arguably her best basketball of the season recently.
However, Peoples had trouble maintaining possession of the basketball, turning the ball over a game-high tying six times.
It was another low-scoring game for the Gators’ leading rebounder, fellow redshirt junior Carlie Needles.
Needles consistently found herself unable to get free from the Tigers tough defense, being held to just five points. She didn’t score a point after halftime, although was able to move the ball well, dishing four assists opposed to just one turnover.
Savannah State gave Florida multiple opportunities to get back into the game, but the Gators failed to convert on the chances at hand. The Tigers had 13 more shots than the Gators, yet Florida was able to out-rebound its opponent 45-30.
Perhaps the lone bright spot for Florida was the play of redshirt senior Kayla Lewis, which has progressively improved with each game. Lewis had her first double-double of the season, scoring 12 points to go along with a season-high 10 rebounds. A staunch defender, Lewis also contributed five blocks, but the effort wasn’t enough to limit a Savannah State team that scored 34 of its points in the paint.
Follow Graham Hall on Twitter @Graham311
Carlie Needles drives into the paint during Florida's win against Longwood.
