No. 20 Florida women open with 85-33 win vs South Alabama

Nov 11, 2017, 07:06 pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Ronnie Williams, Eleanna Christinaki and Haley Lorenzen scored 16 points apiece, and No. 20 Florida opened the season with an 85-33 victory against South Alabama on Friday.

Tyshara Fleming chipped in 11 points for the Gators, who matched their most lopsided season opener in program history. The other 52-point win came against Tampa in 1983.

Florida dominated this one from the opening tip, building a 19-4 lead in the first quarter and never letting the Jaguars mount a comeback. The Gators made 38 of 71 shots and outrebounded South Alabama 47-31. The Jaguars finished with four assists and 32 turnovers.

Savannah Jones led South Alabama with six points.

Florida, which has its highest preseason ranking in 15 years, plays its first 12 games on the road because of a $64.5 million renovation to the school's on-campus arena. The Gators are expected to travel 8,289 miles and use a nine-player rotation. Williams, Christinaki and Lorenzen are key starters.