The Gators women’s basketball team couldn’t defeat its second-straight ranked opponent, falling 75-62 to No. 13 Mississippi State in Starkville, Mississippi on Sunday afternoon.
After defeating No. 24 Georgia on Thursday, UF (12-13, 4-8 Southeastern Conference) came out fired up, opening the game on a 8-0 run that had Florida looking poised for another upset victory.
But the Bulldogs (24-4, 9-4 SEC) weren’t going to be run out of the gym without a fight.
Mississippi State began shooting at an increased pace, hitting six three-pointers and getting to the free throw line 11 times compared to zero by the Gators en route to taking a 40-30 halftime lead.
Any chance the Gators had at making a comeback was dashed by a second half-opening 24-8 run by the Bulldogs, and Mississippi State cruised to the finish.
January Miller scored a season-high 16 points on an effective 6-of-8 shooting from the field. Ronni Williams and Brooke Copeland scored 11 points each, while Cassie Peoples and Carlie Needles struggled with their shots and went a combined 3-of-16 from the field. Peoples did dish out eight assists in the loss, however, giving her 102 this season.
January Miller drives into the lane during Florida's 72-58 win against Arkansas on Sunday in the O'Connell Center.