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The Florida women’s basketball team (17-7, 7-4 SEC) scored 86 points to defeat the 15th ranked Kentucky Wildcats (17-6, 5-5 SEC) 86-80 in a high-scoring affair in Gainesville on Sunday. The win gives the Gators the season series sweep over Kentucky.
The two teams went in to halftime tied at 40, but early in the second half the Gators went on a 14-0 scoring run, highlighted by two old fashioned three point plays from guard January Miller and a 3-pointer by forward Lily Svete.
Florida head coach Amanda Butler couldn’t help but acknowledge the total team effort in the victory.
“It really was a team effort. Jan obviously had big big minutes hitting big shots,” Butler said. “She was someone we could really rely on today offensively.”
The praises didn’t stop with just Miller.
“Lily shot the ball great. Jaterra played great minutes, took that huge charge at the end. And then Kayla’s double-double and the consistency she’s bringing us as a rebounder. All things factor in.”
The Gators saw four players score in double figures. January Miller led the way with 20 points, Kayla Lewis had 18 to go along with her 17 rebounds, Lily Svete added 17 points, nailing 5 of 9 three point shots and Cassie Peoples was solid with 14 points.
A small Gator team had an early lead on the glass, being up nine, but ended up, as has happened a lot this year, on the short end of the board battle 44-38.
The Wildcats made a late push, led by the 20 points of Jennifer O’Neill, who had just five points at halftime, but a huge charge taken by senior guard Jaterra Bonds late in the game for the Gators sealed the victory.
“Without having a chance to look at the film yet, I would have to say it was the play of the game,” Butler said.
In addition to her clutch charge, Bonds also made history. With her five assists in the game, she tied her head coach for fifth all-time on the assists leader board in Gators history.
Bonds will look to move up in that category next Sunday when the Gators try to even the season series against Georgia on the road.
For audio from the game, click below.
