Sha Brooks and Marshae Dotson had that look in their eyes - the one that says they're not going to be denied.
For two seniors, who have been the lifeblood of the UF program for the past four years, it could not have been any other way.
Brooks and Dotson, along with fellow seniors Aneika Henry and Kim Critton, led No. 15 UF (23-5, 9-4 Southeastern Conference) on Senior Day to an 82-66 win against South Carolina (10-15, 2-10 SEC) in the O'Connell Center on Sunday.
They won't soon forget it, either.
"I don't think it would've really mattered who we played today," UF coach Amanda Butler said. "This group right here, in particular, that was disappointed last year on Depree (Bowden)'s Senior Night knew how important this was. That's what you want from your seniors is a sense of urgency.
"There was a very confident little twinkle in their eye before we took the court, no doubt."
The Gators avenged last season's Senior Day loss to the Gamecocks, sending this year's group out on top. They compiled a 14-1 record on their home court this season.
Brooks totaled 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds, while Dotson added 18 points and five rebounds, and each provided the leadership their team needed.
None of it came easy.
South Carolina kept UF scurrying much of the game with its physical, aggressive play, cutting the Gators' lead to 3 with about 13 minutes left and vying for the upset again.
Any hope the Gamecocks had of a comeback was dashed when Brooks turned a 3-point play into 4 after making a three, getting fouled and sinking a free throw with 1:20 remaining.
"I was just thinking, if (Lonnika Thompson) can get me this ball, then I'm going to hit the shot, and she did, and I got fouled," Brooks said. "It was a great motivation for our team."
Guard Kim Critton entered the game for the first time with 2:11 remaining, and all four seniors were then taken off the court together one final time to a standing ovation with 21 seconds left.
"It's what they deserve," Butler said. "They put in so much time and so much energy and give up so much of themselves, their bodies on a daily basis, the commitment and dedication. It was, no doubt, their moment."
Many of the fans stuck around for a post-game ceremony recognizing the seniors and all their accomplishments, which were enough to leave the public address announcer catching his breath afterward.
"I'm glad we went out with a bang," Dotson said. "We had fun out there, we had a great crowd, and that's how you want to go out."
Brooks said she'd rank this game up there as the most memorable of her career, ahead of home wins over Tennessee earlier this season and LSU her freshman year.
"It's our last game here," Brooks said. "We're seniors and we're getting ready to graduate, so of course you're going to always remember your senior night."
