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Florida Tops Vanderbilt 92-83 2-2-04 2/2/2004 Tashia Morehead scored 26 points, including clutch free throw shooting down the stretch, as Florida defeated Vanderbilt 92-83 Sunday afternoon in Memorial Gym. The Gators improved to 15-5, 4-2 while the ‘Dores fell to 16-4, 4-3. The first half was dominated by Florida’s Vanessa Hayden. Hayden, a 6-4 senior from Orlando, could not be contained as she scored 14 points, blocked five shots, and altered countless others in the opening half. Hayden finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Trailing 17-14, Florida put together an 8-0 run to take five point lead. The Gators led by as much as seven in the first before the Commodores went on a 10-2 streak to grab a one point lead at 30-29. The half ended with Florida holding on to a 36-34 advantage. Even though Hayden had her way in the first half, VU freshman Carla Thomas dominated the second. Thomas scored 13 of her 17 points in the second half as the Gators had no answer for the 6-3 center. The ‘Dores tied the game 70-70 with 5:10 to go. But the Gators forced Vanderbilt into four turnovers during a 1:20 stretch that allowed Florida to pull away. With the Gatos holding an eight point lead, the Commodores were forced to foul. Florida connected on 10 of their 12 free throws down the stretch to secure the victory. There were 10 ties and seven lead changes throughout the contest. Senior Jenni Benningfield led the Commodores with 20 points. The ‘Dores host the Georgia Lady Bulldogs Thursday, February 5th at 7 pm at Memorial Gym. |
