Mosby's contribution off bench gives Hernando grad SEC's Sixth Woman of the Year award.
By FRANK PASTOR
Published March 21, 2004
BROOKSVILLE - Ever since her high school days, Bernice Mosby has been unwilling to be anything less than the best at her position.
This season, not even a move to the bench could keep her from fulfilling those expectations.
The Hernando graduate recently capped a hugely successful sophomore season at Florida by being named the Southeastern Conference Sixth Woman of the Year, the first time the honor has been awarded.
"I wouldn't lie and say it's been easy," Mosby said. "It's been tough. Sometimes, I fight with it, but overall it's been good for me in the long run."
After starting 23 of 28 games and leading the Gators in scoring last season, Mosby was removed from the starting lineup because coach Carolyn Peck liked the spark the 6-foot-1 forward brought off the bench.
Though she had mixed feelings about the move, Mosby couldn't argue with the results.
After going 9-19 a season ago, Florida improved to 18-10 - the best one-year turnaround in program history - and received the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament. The Gators opened against No. 12 New Mexico (23-7) on Saturday on the Lobos' home court, The Pit/Bob King Court in Albuquerque.
If form holds, Mosby could play an important role during Florida's tournament run.
"I think our bench will be very key, especially going to Albuquerque," Peck said during a recent teleconference. "The elevation is different there than it is (in Gainesville).
"I think that the way we've practiced here in this week definitely has helped our players coming off the bench to realize how beneficial they are," she said.
Peck already knew.
In 28 games, Mosby averaged 13.2 points and 6.6 rebounds, second on the team to Vanessa Hayden, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Though she didn't make a single start, Mosby's 24.8 minutes per game were fourth-most on the squad.
It was only fitting her exploits be recognized with the Sixth Woman award, determined by the conference's 12 head coaches.
"The difference between me and other people in that role was, they saw the energy and how focused I was off the bench and how much I contributed," said Mosby, who is majoring in recreation and event management and minoring in education and mass communication.
"Many people, when they came off the bench, would score two points or get a rebound or something like that. But I showed consistently in and out every day."
Mosby led Florida in scoring on numerous occasions, including a career-high 31 points in an 80-63 victory over George Washington on Dec. 22.
The stronger the opponent, the higher she seemed to raise her game. Mosby scored 19 against then-16th-ranked LSU, 19 against No. 19 Georgia, 16 against No. 24 Vanderbilt and 14 against No. 18 Auburn. Nor did she shrink from No. 3 Tennessee, contributing 11 points and eight rebounds in an 88-79 loss.
But nothing compared to the thrill of her first NCAA Tournament berth, the Gators' 10th since 1993.
"I'm just proud of getting to the NCAAs and proving people wrong this whole year and beating people (that) people thought wouldn't get beat," Mosby said. "That's one of my highlights so far."
Surely, there are more to come.
- Frank Pastor can be reached at 800 333-7505, ext. 1430. Send e-mail to pastor@sptimes.com
MOSBY'S MILESTONES
Highlights from Bernice Mosby's 2003-2004 season:
3/4/04 - Named SEC Sixth Woman of the Year.
2/29/04 - Recorded 14 points and 8 rebounds in 71-60 upset of No. 18 Auburn.
2/26/04 - Led team with 19 points in 69-59 victory over No. 19 Georgia.
2/19/04 - Tallied 11 points and 8 rebounds in 88-79 loss to No. 3 Tennessee.
2/15/04 - Scored 19 in 91-72 loss to No. 16 LSU.
2/8/04 - Posted team-high 13 points and 9 rebounds in 76-56 win over Kentucky.
2/1/04 - Contributed 16 points in 92-83 win over No. 24 Vanderbilt.
12/22/03 - Scored career-high 31 and had 11 rebounds in 80-63 victory over George Washington.
