Florida’s offense showed up in its first taste of the 2024-25 season with veteran players, Ra Shaya Kyle and Jeriah Warren securing double-doubles.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators made its 2024-25 debut in the Exactech Arena Wednesday evening against Flagler College. Florida defeated the Saints 85 to 46 in the Exhibition contest.
Overall, Florida was led offensively by Ra Shaya Kyle<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ra-shaya-kyle/16858> with 21 points, going 8-of-11 from the field and 5-of-7 from the charity stripe. Jeriah Warren<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jeriah-warren/16862> took charge defensively with 11 rebounds on the boards who led the Gators defensively with a total of 11 rebounds and 3 steals.
In the First Half:
* The Gators doubled Flagler’s points, ending the half 44-22
* Florida shot 48.6 percent compared to Flagler’s 19.4
* Kyle led the team offensively with 11 points at the end of the first half
* UF out-rebounded Flagler 38 to 14
* Jeriah Warren<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jeriah-warren/16862> led on the boards with seven
* The Gators 44 points were spread across nine different players
* Florida recorded five blocks
* Demonstrated a team effort with nine assists
* Secured 24 points in the paint
In the Second Half:
* Freshman Liv McGill<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/liv-mcgill/16880> had 8 points and 3 rebounds going into the third quarter
* Florida led by as much as 42 in the second half at 83-41 (1:01)
* Went 14 of 33 from the field to garner a field goal percentage of 42.4
* The Gators snagged 25 rebounds
* Produced a total 23 bench points
* Had 13 second chance points and 10 points from turnovers
* Kenza Salgues<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kenza-salgues/16861> led in the assists with 6
* Florida grabbed 4 steals
* Held Flagler to only 4 points in the paint
Return of Ra Shaya:
After a season ending injury in January of 2024, Senior Ra Shaya Kyle<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ra-shaya-kyle/16858> was back on the court for the Gators. Kyle went 10 months supporting Florida from the sidelines and proved to make an immediate impact on the court during Wednesday’s exhibition.
* Kyle led Florida in all scoring with a 21-point outing
* Secured 10 rebounds to reach a double-double
* Kyle hit double digits in the first half with 11 points
* Went 5-of-5 from the field in the first half to garner a field goal percentage of 100
* Shot 72 percent from the free throw line
* Distributed two assists
The Freshman 4:
* The freshman had a combined 24 points in their Gator debut
* Each freshman recorded at least two rebounds
* Me’Arah O’Neal<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/me-arah-o-neal/16879> led the freshman on defense with six rebounds and two blocks
* Liv McGill<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/liv-mcgill/16880> snagged five rebounds, secured eight points, and distributed two assists
* Kylee Kitts<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kylee-kitts/16881> led all freshman in scoring with nine points
* Kitts hit a buzzer beater to end the first quarter and extend Florida’s lead 23 to 10
KELLY RAE FINLEY SAID:
UF coach Kelly Rae Finley<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/kelly-rae-finley/1658> on senior center Ra Shaya Kyle’s<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ra-shaya-kyle/16858> return:
“I thought it was great. We talked about getting a little bit of the rust off and running her own race. She was dominant once she kind of settled in. It took us all a minute to settle in like that. We were really excited which is always a good thing. But Shay did an excellent job on the low block. Communicating, talking. She also is guarding on the perimeter pretty well, which is fun to see.”
UF coach Kelly Rae Finley<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/kelly-rae-finley/1658> on senior Jeriah Warren<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jeriah-warren/16862> and what to expect from her this year:
“Jeriah has done an exceptionally good job. She’s a four-year player for us, she’s the consummate gator in so many ways she’s trusted the process. She’s been bought in to everything we’ve asked her to do. And so, everybody’s asking me if I’m surprised… no not at all. She’s going to be a key for us this season with her versatility.”
NEXT UP: Florida Atlantic (0-0, 0-0, AAC)
* Date: Monday, Nov. 4
* Time: 7 p.m.
* Site: Exactech Arena
* Stream: SECN+
* Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM<https://floridagators.com/watch/?Live=5275&type=Archive>
* Live Stats<https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=fla#calendar>
* Tickets<https://floridagators.com/sports/2022/12/15/womens-basketball-tickets.aspx>
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