Florida Plays Without Head Coach and Upset Lady Vols

January 7, 2016

Rick Nyman,

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Eleanna Christinaki had 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds Thursday night as Florida withstood its coach’s absence and capitalized on Tennessee’s poor shooting in a 74-66 victory over the 12th-ranked Lady Volunteers.

Florida coach Amanda Butler wasn’t with the Gators, and assistant Shimmy Gray-Miller served as acting head coach. Florida athletic department spokesperson Kathy Cafazzo said Butler was dealing with a family emergency.

Florida (13-2, 1-1 SEC) ended an 11-game losing streak in this series and beat the Lady Vols for the first time since a 66-57 decision on Feb. 8, 2009. Tennessee (10-4, 1-1) leads the all-time series 48-4.

Diamond DeShields scored 16 points and Bashaara Graves had a career-high 19 rebounds for Tennessee. After shooting 11 of 21 in the first quarter, the Lady Vols were 13 of 61 the rest of the game.

Carlie Needles scored 15 points for Florida before leaving with a cramp in the fourth quarter.