Women headed to WNIT

GAINESVILLE - The women's basketball team will compete in the Women's NIT and is one of 16 teams to receive a first-round bye.

The Gators will play the winner of the opening-round game between South Florida and Florida Gulf Coast. The location of the second-round game will be determined at a later date.

Florida (18-13) defeated Florida Gulf Coast, 78-52, on December 4 this season in Gainesville in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Gators sport a 34-4 all-time record against South Florida. The Bulls, however, won the last meeting, which was a 61-56 decision in the first round of the 2005 WNIT played in Tampa.

Florida will be making its fourth appearance in the WNIT, reaching the title game in 1985 and in 2000.

This is the 14th time in the last 16 years the Gators have earned a postseason berth, with 11 NCAA Tournament berths.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to continue our season and compete for a championship," Butler said. "We knew early during the yearthat we were a postseason team and the announcement of the WNIT bid makes that a reality. We've worked hard all season for this chance and hopefully, we'll take advantage of the opportunity in front of us."

Butler is the first UF coach to guide the Gators to a postseason berth in their first year.