University of Florida Athletics issued the following announcement on Nov. 11.
Florida women's basketball will face their first road tests of the season over the weekend when they head to Raleigh, N.C., for the Preseason WNIT.
The Gators will open the weekend with a matchup against Towson at 4:30 p.m. ET in the first ever meeting between the opponents. Towson opened the regular season with a 113-59 victory over Frostburg State on Tuesday. After a break in the action on Saturday, Florida will face-off with nationally-ranked #5/#4 North Carolina State before concluding the tournament on Monday against Wofford. The Gators lead the all-time series with North Carolina State, 4-2, last winning 79-72 during the on Dec. 21, 2015. UF is 1-0 against Wofford, claiming victory in 2016, 74-51.
On Tuesday, the Gators opened the 2021-22 season with a victory over Georgia State in Exactech Arena. After falling behind early, the Gators would fight back to lead by as many as 20 late in the fourth, eventually claiming an 84-70 win. Veteran Kiara Smith led Florida with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists. It marked the second-consecutive season-opener with at least 20 points for Smith.
Smith's 23 points has her inching up the list in Florida's 1,000-point club, as she now boasts 1,092 points. She currently sits in 24th, just seven points away from passing Janna Bragg (1984-88) for 23rd on the list.
Joining Smith with an impressive opener was junior standout, Lavender Briggs. Briggs added 16 points of her own to give the duo 39 total points for the night. It was the most points by a Florida duo
in a season-opener since the 2009 season when Jennifer George and Jordan Jones combined for 38 in an
85-63 victory over Stetson.
With her 16 points, Briggs now owns 802 career points at Florida, just 198 away from becoming the 27th member of the 1,000 point club at Florida.
Jordyn Merritt and Nina Rickards also opened with strong performances against Georgia State, as Merritt contributed 15 points and six rebounds and Rickards adding 11 points. As a team, Florida was dominant on the glass once again with a 44-29 advantage.
Florida's games against Towson and Wofford will be streamed live on YouTube while Sunday's game against the Wolfpack will air live on ACC Network+ with Matthew Curry and Stephanie White on the call.
Original source can be found here.
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