The Gators battled for a second half comeback versus the No. 23 Tar Heels but were unable to get it done; ultimately falling 77-57.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Florida faced a challenging UNC team Wednesday evening at the 2024 Jumpman Invitational. The Gators were defeated 77-57 in neutral territory and were led in scoring by freshman Liv McGill<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/liv-mcgill/16880> with 15 points.
In the first half Florida was faced with offensive adversity and were held to a season low 20-points. Coming out for the second half, Florida doubled its points off the bat, posting 20 in the third quarter alone.
The Gators attempted to pick away at UNC’s lead, but with a 19-point margin (59-40) heading into the fourth quarter it was a tall task. UNC continued to pressure the Gators on both ends of the floor for the final 10 minutes of play to close out 77-57 inside Spectrum Center.
IN THE FIRST:
* Alexia Gassett<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alexia-gassett/16882> led in scoring with four of UF’s seven points
* The Gators shot a game low 21.4 percent from the field (3-14)
* Jeriah Warren<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jeriah-warren/16862> led on the boards with two rebounds-both defensive
* Florida forced six turnovers on the Tar Heels to convert for four points
IN THE SECOND:
* Florida was led by McGill and Gassett in scoring with four points each
* UF snagged nine rebounds, Me’Arah O’Neal<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/me-arah-o-neal/16879> led on the boards for the Gators with three
* Gassett grabbed two steals contributing to UNC’s four turnovers
* The Gators entered half at a 21-point disadvantage (41-20)
IN THE THIRD:
* Ra Shaya Kyle<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ra-shaya-kyle/16858> led UF across the board with eight points and nine rebounds
* The Gators shot a game best 40-percent from the field (4-10)
* UF saw the free throw line 13 times to secure 12 points (92.3%)
* Florida posted 20-points to mark its highest scoring period of the game
IN THE FOURTH:
* Florida got UNC’s lead down to as low as 15 points (61-46)
* Dizeko and Reynolds led in scoring with four points each
* The Gators posted a combined 17 points across five players
* UF Snagged 11 rebounds and Daviane Mindoudi Ongbakahoumb<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/daviane-mindoudi-ongbakahoumb/17197> led on the boards for the first time with four
CAREER HIGHS:
Liv McGill<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/liv-mcgill/16880>
FG Attempts
21
vs North Carolina 12/18/24
Daviane Mindoudi Ongbakahoumb<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/daviane-mindoudi-ongbakahoumb/17197>
Rebounds
4
vs North Carolina 12/18/24
3 FG Made
1
vs North Carolina 12/18/24, vs Florida A&M 11/07/24
WORTH NOTING:
* Florida had two players in double figures for scoring
* McGill (15), and Reynolds (10)
* The Gators first half marked their season low in scoring with 20 points
* UF grabbed 39 rebounds with 10 players contributing on the boards
* Kyle had another double figure outing on the boards with 11 rebounds
* Kyle led Florida on the boards for her 34th time as a Gator and eleventh time this season
* The Gators have secured 20+ points in 28 of 48 quarters played this season
* Reynolds and Gassett both snagged two steals, adding to UF’s game total of six
* Florida held a combined 74 possessions
* The Gators made 10 layups in 19 driving attempts
* UF secured 18 points off fast breaks
GATOR BITES:
UF coach Kelly Rae Finley<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/kelly-rae-finley/1658> on North Carolina:
“UNC is a really talented basketball team and I think this is probably one of Courtney’s best teams that she has had since she’s been at North Carolina. They jumped out on us with a good start, and it was something that we couldn’t recover from.”
UF coach Kelly Rae Finley<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/kelly-rae-finley/1658> on what Florida has faced and what’s ahead:
Going into conference play it was a good test. I feel like we have been very battle tested with physicality on the road and in neutral sites which is good for us. We got a young team and we need to continue to improve, grow, and look at where we need to be better. We have made a lot of progress but obviously it still isn’t good enough.
TEAM RECORDS:
Florida: 7-5, (0-0 SEC)
North Carolina: 11-2, (0-1 ACC)
SERIES RECORD:
The all-time series between UF and UNC stands at 4-1, favoring the Tar Heels.
NEXT UP:
The Gators will return to Gainesville and host the University of North Florida on Saturday afternoon. The home contest is set for a 2:45 p.m. tip-off and is the second matchup in double-header action with the men’s team.
NEXT UP: North Florida (4-8, 0-0 ASUN)
* Date: Sat., Dec. 21
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