Times wires
Thursday, March 24, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C.— Florida failed to hold a 17-point lead, its season ending with an 81-77 overtime loss to Charlotte in the third round of the Women's NIT on Thursday.
Freshman Jaterra Bonds scored a career-high 23 for the Gators (20-15). Her career-best fifth 3-pointer with 51 seconds left forced overtime.
Florida committed 22 turnovers, the last two on consecutive possessions in the final minute that allowed the 49ers (26-9) to pull away from a tie at 77.
"Our turnovers were the story of the game," UF coach Amanda Butler said. "We certainly scored enough points. Our second-half defense was good for 25 seconds in a possession, and then we would give up the big play in the last five seconds.
"We fought hard and looked really, really good in some stretches, and then we would give it right back to them. We just coughed the ball up way too much to beat a good team on its home court."
Mississippi: For the second time in his five-year tenure, men's coach Andy Kennedy will not receive a contract extension. He has three years remaining on a contract that pays $1.3 million annually. A four-year contract is the longest allowed by state law. The Rebels were 20-14 this season, losing to California in the first round of the NIT. Ole Miss hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament since 2002.