Smith’s double-double lifts the Gators to first conference
Following an 0-5 conference start, the Gators found a win column against Auburn at home Sunday
Kiara Smith Photo by Samantha Harrison | The Independent Florida Alligator
After a late comeback scare by Auburn, Florida guard Kiara Smith delivered a pair of clutch free throws and an exhilarating, fast-break layup down the stretch of the fourth quarter to tame the Tigers and secure the Gators’ first conference win of the season.
Florida bounced back at the O’Connell Center Sunday afternoon for the first time since Dec. 21. The Gators beat the Auburn Tigers 68-54 after losing five consecutive conference games.
Close loss to Arkansas leads to Briggs’ new point record
The sophomore guard reached a 41 point high a jump from her previous record of 23 points Photo by Samantha Harrison | The Independent Florida Alligator
Nine seconds in, Florida guard Lavender Briggs’ seamless three showed promise for the night ahead.
But it didn’t capture the Gators’ overall performance in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Florida confronted the No. 17 Razorbacks Thursday night in the hopes of earning their first conference win, returning with a 84-80 losing matchup.
It did, however, foreshadow a special night for Briggs. The sophomore reached a 41-point high a jump from her previous record of 23 points.
Smith stars, Briggs hits milestone in UF victory
The Gators improved to 4-1 on the season their win on Wednesday Florida guard Kiara Smith drained the first basket in the Gators game against the FAU Owls Monday. Photo by Samantha Harrison | The Independent Florida Alligator
Kiara Smith brought the heat on a chilly Monday night in Gainesville, as the senior point guard dropped a career-high 27 points en route to a 88-76 Gator victory over FAU.
The Maryland native was predictably efficient and scored at every level, switching between acrobatic layups, long-range bombs and productive trips to the foul line. Not to be outworked, Smith also tacked on eleven rebounds and two steals for her second double-double on the year.