Florida’s Women’s Hoops Falls to Wisconsin 51-48 at Home

The Florida women’s basketball team (5-4) just couldn’t seem to find their focus Wednesday night in a 51-48 home loss to Wisconsin (3-5).

Florida shot just 29 percent from the field and was inconsistent its free throws, shooting  just 55 percent from the stripe.  The only player to score in double figures for Florida was junior January Miller with 12 points.

Despite the poor numbers, Florida led 31-29 at halftime.  But that lead quickly went away as Wisconsin started the second half on a 12-4 run resulting in a 41-35 lead with 14:37 left.

Florida coach Amanda Butler says her team’s poor defense gave the Badgers an edge.

“Our transition defense was just really disappointing; that helped them set the tone for the second half and we weren’t able to regain that momentum.”

With 22 seconds left in the game, Florida cut the Wisconsin lead to one point after Cassie Peoples, who sat out the entire first half due to a violation of team rules, hit two big free throws making the score 49-48.

But the Gators just could not finish the job. The Badgers got a put back to go up three and Peoples missed a potential game tying three point try that could have sent the game into overtime.

“Wisconsin played a great game,” said Butler. “They did a great job on defense and you have to give the all the credit for the result. You have to give them the credit for setting the tone and executing their game plan really well.”

Next up for the Gators is another home match up against Stetson on Sunday. You can listen to the game right here on ESPN 850 WRUF, with coverage beginning at 12:45. Tip-off is set for 1pm.

For audio clips click the links below:

Butler on 2nd half defense

Butler on Wisconsin