Sports | Women's Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Eleanna Christinaki looks to drive to the basket while two Kentucky players defend her during Florida's 92-69 loss to the Wildcats in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on March 4, 2016, in Jacksonville.

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Florida heads to Chattanooga looking for second win

By Alejandro López | Nov. 13, 2016

A lot has changed since December 5, 1986.

UF forward Ronni Williams goes for a layup during Florida's 53-45 win against LSU on Jan. 17, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

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UF women’s basketball opens season with emphatic win over South Alabama

By Alejandro López | Nov. 11, 2016

JACKSONVILLE — Delicia Washington knew what she needed to do.

Coach Amanda Butler (right) celebrates with Eleanna Christinaki during Florida's win over Kentucky on Jan. 31, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

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Florida women’s basketball prepping for season opener

By Alejandro López | Nov. 8, 2016

The last time Florida’s women’s basketball team made the trek to Jacksonville’s Veterans Memorial Arena, it fell victim to a 43-year trend.

Brooke Copeland attempts a three-point shot during Florida's win against Stetson.

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UF women’s basketball relying on depth to replace lost talent

By Alejandro López | Oct. 31, 2016

Whenever Carlie Needles pulled up from behind the three-point line, opposing defenses worried.

UF coach Amanda Butler claps during Florida's 53-45 win against LSU on Jan. 17, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

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Women's basketball team practices with Marine Corps

By Alejandro López | Oct. 25, 2016

Last week, the Florida Gators women’s basketball team trekked to Camp Blanding — an Army base in Starke, Florida.

UF guard Simone Westbrook drives into the paint during Florida's 53-45 win against LSU on Jan. 17, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

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Butler: Strength of SEC last year was “ridiculous”

By Alejandro López | Oct. 18, 2016

Nevermind a season-opening 12-game road trip.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women’s basketball team's recruits fitting in early on

By Alejandro López | Oct. 13, 2016

The Florida Gators women’s basketball team’s recruiting class has quickly settled in, rapidly developing a rapport with teammates and coaches alike.

Florida's Ronni Williams shoots the ball during UF's 92-69 loss to Kentucky in the SEC Tournament on March 4, 2016, in the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

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Season-ending loss still fresh for Gators

By Alejandro López | Oct. 9, 2016

For a year that began with so much promise, the 2015-16 season ended on a sour note for the Florida Gators women’s basketball team.

UF forward Haley Lorenzen guards LSU's Alexis Hyder during Florida's 53-45 win against LSU on Jan. 17, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

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UF women’s basketball looking to end losing streak against Vandy

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 17, 2016

The tone in Amanda Butler’s voice conveyed palpable disappointment.

Eleanna Christinaki drives into the paint during Florida's 85-79 win over Kentucky on Jan. 31, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

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Newcomers making splash for UF women’s basketball

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 8, 2016

For a team loaded with veterans, Florida’s women’s basketball team has asked a lot of its newcomers.

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UF women's basketball falls to Missouri on road

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 24, 2016

With 40 seconds left in Sunday’s game against Missouri, Florida’s Cassie Peoples took a jumper with her team down by 13.

UF guard Eleanna Christinaki drives down the court during Florida's 53-45 win against LSU on Jan. 17, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators continue SEC schedule against improving Tide

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 20, 2016

Alabama’s schedule is unusual.

UF guard Carlie Needles (right) and women's basketball assistant coach Bill Ferrera react after a play during Florida's loss to Georgia on Jan. 14, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

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Senior guard paving way for UF women's basketball team

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 19, 2016

As the Florida women's basketball team trailed Georgia 42-25 in the third quarter last week, the clock stopped for a timeout. The Gators huddled on the sideline waiting for instruction, motivation or some combination of the two.

UF guard Carlie Needles drives into the paint during Florida's win against Savannah State on Nov. 24, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

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Depth, experience paying dividends for women’s basketball team

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 12, 2016

Florida’s women’s basketball team is surging, and people are taking notice.

UF guard Brooke Copeland drives into the paint during Florida's win against Savannah State on Nov. 24, 2015.

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Building a Bond: Florida women’s basketball volunteers time to community

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 11, 2016

Head coach Amanda Butler has long said that one of the most important things she does as a coach is develop good people — not just good basketball players.

Amanda Butler calls out a play during Florida's 64-56 loss to No. 6 Tennessee on Feb. 8 in the O'Connell Center.

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Assistant coaches bring energy to Gators women's basketball

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 6, 2016

When the Gators take the court tonight against No. 12 Tennessee, one of the team’s greatest assets won’t see any game time.

UF point guard Carlie Needles drives to the basket during Florida's 99-34 win over Savannah State on Nov. 24, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

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Florida falls to Mississippi State in SEC opener

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 3, 2016

With 49 seconds left, Carlie Needles set her feet and hit a three-pointer to bring Florida within four points.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida women's basketball wins 2015 Gator Holiday Classic

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 21, 2015

There’s a line from the Pixar film “The Incredibles” that, despite its insulting intention in the movie, accurately sums up this season’s Gator women’s basketball team.

Cassie Peoples drives down the court during Florida's 64-56 loss to No. 6 Tennessee on Feb. 8, 2015 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF shatters points record in win over Saint Francis

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 20, 2015

On Monday afternoon, the Gators will find themselves in a fairly familiar position.

Haley Lorenzen battles for position in the paint during Florida's 99-34 win against Savannah State on Nov. 24, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators women’s basketball comes from behind to defeat Arkansas State

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 7, 2015

It wasn’t easy, but as it often has this season, the Florida women’s basketball team found a way to win.