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Gators defense saves 62-57 win over Vanderbilt

©Associated Press

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 5, 2001

GAINESVILLE -- No. 9 Florida relied on its its defense for a 62-57 victory over struggling No. 19 Vanderbilt on Sunday night.

Tombi Bell rescued the cold-shooting Gators with tough defense and 17 points. She shot 8-for-11, but her teammates shot 25 percent as the Gators won their sixth straight and stayed in striking range of No. 3 Tennessee for the league title.

Florida hosts Tennessee at 5 p.m. Sunday.

"My shot always feels good when it goes in," Bell said. "I just did what I could. I knew the rest of us were struggling a bit."

Naomi Mobley had a dominating game for the Gators with 18 points and 15 rebounds, but her shooting touch was absent. She shot 6-for-18.

Vanderbilt lost its fourth straight. Trailing 59-57 with 1:03 left, the Commodores' Juli Colli missed the first of a 1-and-1. Florida got the rebound, and Vanessa Hayden hit a short turnaround in the lane.

Vanderbilt's Jillian Danker missed a three-pointer on the next possession, and Florida's Monique Cardenas hit a free throw as the Gators closed it out.

Florida's Brandi McCain scored 16 on 5-for-16 shooting, and starting center Tamara Stocks hit 3 of 16 shots for six points.

The Gators scored 30 points off 23 turnovers.

CHARLOTTE 50, USF 45: The victory was the fourth consecutive for Charlotte, which began the season 1-5. It was South Florida's 10th straight loss and its 16th consecutive road loss.

The 49ers finished with a 12-0 run. The Bulls seemed in control when Aiya Shepard stole the ball with 5:07 to play, made a layup and was fouled. She completed the three-point play to give USF a 45-38 lead, but the Bulls didn't score again.

"Down the stretch nobody wanted to make a play," USF coach Jose Fernandez said.

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