The Gators outscored LSU in the second half but were unable to complete a Friday night comeback, falling 101-87 to the No. 9 Tigers.
GREENVILLE, S.C.- The Gators run in the 2025 SEC Tournament concludes with a 101-87 loss to No. 9 LSU. Florida had six players in double figures for scoring but came up short against the top-10 Tigers after playing three consecutive games in the postseason.
Florida was led in scoring by Liv McGill<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/liv-mcgill/16880> for the second straight outing at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. McGill posted 16 points and distributed six assists. Jeriah Warren<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jeriah-warren/16862> followed for UF with 14 points-going 50 percent from the three-point line (4-8).
Despite the Gators all around effort they were unable to get past LSU’s Aneesah Morrow with a 36-point performance. The Tigers also out-rebounded Florida 41-31 and shot 50.7 percent from the field (37-73), compared to UF’s 47.6 (30-63) percent.
A GLIMPSE INTO FLORIDA’S SEC TOURNAMENT RUN:
* UF advanced to the quarterfinals for the second year in a row
* Florida upset the No. 6 seeded Crimson Tide
* The Gators were the only team in the SEC to win back-to-back games to get into the quarters
* Florida was the final team standing that did not receive any byes
* UF now holds an all-time record of 26-43 at the SEC Tournament
* The Gators are 2-1 in postseason play for 2025
* UF is 5-4 in the SEC Postseason Tournament under Coach Kelly Rae Finley<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/kelly-rae-finley/1866> (2022-25)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
IN THE FIRST:
* The Gators put up 16 points and shot 46.2 percent from the field (6-13)
* UF went 3-5 from the charity stripe (60%)
* Florida trailed to the Tigers for nine minutes and 42 seconds
* UF had 20 possessions and forced three turnovers on LSU
* Warren distributed two assists and posted four points
* The Gators were out rebounded 13-7 by LSU
* LSU held the advantage over Florida at 26-16 to end the period
IN THE SECOND:
* The Gators left LSU scoreless for the initial two minutes and 20 seconds
* Florida was able to get the score within five points (26-21) at the start of the seconds (7:54)
* UF went 7-18 from the field (38.9%) and 2-2 from the free throw line
* McGill led on both ends of the floor for Florida with six points and three rebounds
* Seven of UF’s 18 points were credited to the bench and six came from inside the paint
* Warren and Salgues both hit a three to put UF at 2-9 from behind the arch (22.2%)
* The Gators found themselves down by 19 entering the half (53-34)
IN THE THIRD:
* UF went on a 11-2 run to start the second half (55-45)
* Florida held LSU to one field goal for the first three minutes and 15 seconds of the half
* The Gators brought in 11 points off LSU turnovers
* UF distributed eight assists
* Reynolds hit two blocks for the Gators
* Florida grabbed a game low five rebounds
* UF scored a game high 28 points and went 9-15 (60%) from the field
* Nine of UF’s points came from behind the arch (3-3)
* Florida capitalized on the free throw line shooting 7-8
IN THE FOURTH:
* Kyle led Florida on both ends of the hardwood with six points and five rebounds
* UF posted another 25 points and shot 47.1 percent from the field
* Nine of UF’s points came from the bench and 10 were tallied in the paint
* Florida distributed five assists with five players contributing to moving the ball
* The Gators saw the charity strip eight times, securing seven points
* Dizeko and Kyle bother went 2-2 from the line
* The Gators snagged a total 12 rebounds-their most of the game
WORTH NOTING:
* UF had six players in double figures for scoring-their most of the season
* McGill (16), Warren (14), Gassett (13), Kyle (11), Dizeko (10), and Reynolds (10)
* Gassett set a career high in scoring with 13 points
* Kyle posted her 15th double-double of the season and her career 27th at UF
* McGill has hit double figures in 30 of her 33 outings as a Gator
* 12 of those games have been 20+ point performances
* The Gators outscored LSU in both the third and fourth quarters
* (Q3) 28-25, (Q4) 25-23
* 51 percent of UF’s scoring was from two-point plays
* 28% of Florida’s 87 points came from three pointers and 22% were from three throws
* The Gators hit eight three balls and held LSU to five
* In total UF went 19-23 (82.6%) from the charity stripe
* Three Gators shot a perfect 100 percent from the free throw line
* McGill (5-5), Dizeko (2-2) and Reynolds (2-2)
* 28 of UF’s points were tallied inside the paint
* Florida forced 13 turnovers on LSU to convert for 15 points
* 26 of UF’s points were credited to the bench
* The Gators posted 10 points off fast breaks and 13 from second chances
* The Gators were out-rebounded by the Tigers 41-31
* Kyle led Florida on the boards with 11 rebounds
* Reynolds was responsible for all three Florida blocks
* Florida distributed a combined 19 assists
* McGill led in distribution with six, followed by Reynolds with four
* McGill has now led in assist distribution 25 times this season
* The Gators have secured 20+ points in 54 of 134 quarters played this season
* UF secured 7 layups in 15 driving attempts (47%)
* Florida recorded a game total 80 possessions, converting for 1.08 points per possession
* In total UF trailed to LSU for 39 minutes and 35 seconds
CAREER HIGHS:
Alexia Dizeko<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alexia-dizeko/16856>
3 FG Made
2
vs Florida A&M 11/07/24, at Arkansas 02/03/25, vs LSU 03/07/25
Alexia Gassett<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alexia-gassett/17707>
Points
13
vs LSU 03/07/25
GATOR BITES:
Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/kelly-rae-finley/1866> on tonight’s result and the outlook:
“It is disappointing to lose, but LSU is a very talented, very strong basketball team. I liked our fight, especially in the second half. I wasn’t very happy at halftime; I didn’t think our initial connection was great-we started out hesitant. Hesitant doesn’t look good on us, and we were the team that had nothing to lose and we need to play like that. Overall, this team enjoys playing together and my hope is we get invited to the WBIT.”
Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/kelly-rae-finley/1866> on Florida’s continued progress leading to post-season:
“This team went through a lot of changes early in the season and when you think about how long the season is, each run, each team is unique and special to themselves. This team lost 71% of our scoring from last season and we averaged eight points more per game. In our last six games leading up to today we have been in the top-40 for defensive. We have made a lot of progress from January to February and we have talked about that quite a bit.
Senior Jeriah Warren<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jeriah-warren/16862> on what led UF to a successful run in the SEC Tournament:
“We just spent a lot of time together as a team and with the coaching staff. We went on walks and made real time to enjoy because it goes by fast.”
Senior Ra Shaya Kyle<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ra-shaya-kyle/16858> on the Florida program and coach Kelly:
“I learned a lot. Kelly and the coaching staff changed me-game wise and who I am as a person on and off the court. Mostly I would say, as a person after I leave Florida, I have been instilled with a lot of good. I have been set up well for after and I have loved playing for her.”
TEAM RECORDS:
Florida: 16-17, (6-12 SEC)
LSU: 28-4, (13-4 SEC)
SERIES RECORD:
The all-time series between Florida and LSU stands in favor of the Tigers at 34-16. The Gators have fallen to LSU in their last five meetings, dating back to Feb. 20, 2022.
NEXT UP:
The Gators will return to Gainesville in hopes of receiving a bid into the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament. Florida competed and was a host site for the 2024 WBIT before falling in the initial round.
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