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© St. Petersburg Times, published February 18, 2002
ATHENS, Ga. -- Mary Beth Lycett scored 20 as No. 24 Georgia beat No. 14 Florida 73-62 Sunday to end a four-game home losing streak, the longest in 23 seasons under coach Andy Landers.
The Bulldogs last won at home Jan. 7, a 105-36 rout of Morris Brown. They then lost to South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State and Tennessee.
Florida shot 34.9 percent (22-of-63) for the game. The Gators forced 21 turnovers but were outrebounded 47-35.
"Georgia's defense really dictated the game," UF coach Carol Ross said. "They ran us out of our sets early in the first half. They also prevented us from getting on the offensive boards in the first 20 minutes. You have to give them a lot of credit."
Brandi McCain had 16 points for the Gators, who have won twice in Athens. Georgia freshmen Kara Braxton and Ebony Felder scored 12 each.
Lycett's 3-pointer gave Georgia a 40-29 lead with 12:15 left, but Florida rallied with baskets by Trish Patterson, Tishona Gregory and McCain. Patterson's three-point play with 7:44 left closed the gap to 49-46.
The Bulldogs got three quick scores to take a 56-46 lead with 6:20 left. Florida never got closer than eight the rest of the way.
"I thought our effort was good and we played hard enough to win tonight, but we didn't do the little things you have to do to win an SEC game on the road," Ross said.
The teams traded baskets for the first 13 minutes and never were more than three points apart. But after Florida's Monique Cardenas scored with 7:26 left, the Gators failed to make another field goal in the first half.
Georgia capitalized with a 13-2 run, led by Lycett's seven points, to build a 28-19 halftime lead.
Georgia's Tawana McDonald blocked a shot to tie Katrina McClain's school record of 290.
CHARLOTTE 74, USF 46: Peaches Harris had a season-high 19 points and Adrienne Jordan posted her second straight double double with 18 points and 11 rebounds as the host 49ers romped to their fourth consecutive Conference USA win.
Charlotte shot a season-high 51.7 percent and never trailed, leading by as many as 30 in the second half. Alana Tanksley led the Bulls with 15 points.