The Gators posted 60-points in the second half, but were unable to defeat the Commodores and subside Mikayla Blakes’ 53-point performance.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.- Florida was defeated Thursday night in the O’Dome by the No. 23 Commodores. The final score stood at 99-86 with four Gators in double figures for scoring. Despite the offensive effort, Florida was unable to stop Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, as she posted 53-points-setting the NCAA record.
The Gators were led by Ra Shaya Kyle<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ra-shaya-kyle/16858> with her eleventh double-double of the season. Kyle tallied 23 points and secured 12 rebounds, setting the tone on both ends of the floor. Liv McGill<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/liv-mcgill/16880> followed in scoring with 20 points and added four assists. McGill now has 112 assists on the season to continue her status as the No. 1 freshman in NCAA for total assists and assists per game (5.1). As a whole, Florida shot 49 percent from the field (33-67) and out-rebounded the Commodores 36-34.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
IN THE FIRST:
* Florida held the lead for four minutes and 39 seconds
* 10 of UF’s 16 points were posted inside the paint
* UF shot 31.3 percent from the field (5-16)
* Laila Reynolds<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/laila-reynolds/16860> led Florida in scoring with six points, shooting 2-4 from the field and 2-4 from the line
* The Gators and Commodores were even at 11 rebounds
* Kyle secured five rebounds to lead UF on the boards
IN THE SECOND:
* The Gators were held to 10 points-marking their lowest scoring period of the game
* Jeriah Warren<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jeriah-warren/16862> led on the boards with three of Florida’s eight rebounds
* Reynolds distributed two assists, contributing to UF’s first half total of five
* Vanderbilt grabbed its largest lead of the half at 46-26 (00:44)
IN THE THIRD:
* Florida posted 30 points across six players
* The Gators shot a game high 73.3 percent from the field (11-15)
* 20 of UF’s points came from inside the paint
* McGill led in scoring with eight points, going 2-5 from the field and 4-4 from the charity stripe
* The Gators saw the free throw line eight times, converting for seven points (87.5%)
* UF’s offensive dominance led to a game low six rebounds
* The score stood at 73-56 going into the fourth
IN THE FOURTH:
* The Gators tallied an additional 30 points to record a combined 60 in the second half
* The Gators went 13-24 from the field to shoot 54.2 percent
* 22 of UF’s points were gathered inside the paint
* Florida secured 12 second chance points and eight off rebounds
* Alexia Dizeko<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alexia-dizeko/16856>, Warren, and McGill all shot 100 percent from the free throw line
* UF held Vanderbilt to zero offensive rebounds
* Kyle led on the boards with four of UF’s 11 rebounds
WORTH NOTING:
* Florida posted a season high 60 points in a singular half (Half two)
* Previously 55 vs. Florida A&M (11/7/24), Chicago State (11/12/24)
* The Gators shot 49.3 percent from the field (33-67)
* 56 of Florida’s 86 points were tallied inside the paint
* Florida grabbed 19 points off second chances and 16 off rebounds
* The Gators saw the free throw line a combined 23 times, converting for 17 points (74%)
* Dizeko shot 100 percent from the charity stripe for her fourth time this season
* UF had four players in double digits for scoring
* Kyle (23), McGill (20), Warren (15), and Reynolds (12)
* Kyle has now recorded 11 double doubles in the 2024-25 season
* McGill has hit double figures in 20 of her 22 outings as a Gator
* Nine of those games have been 20+ point outings
* Warren posted double figures for her fourteenth time this season
* Reynolds recorded her third consecutive game with 10+ points
* Florida forced 15 turnovers on Vanderbilt to convert for 14 points
* Florida distributed 12 assists and McGill led with four
* McGill has led UF in assists for a combined 16 times this season
* Five Gators recorded two or more assists
* The Gators out-rebounded Vanderbilt 36-34
* Kyle led all in rebounding with 12
* Kyle has now led Florida in rebounding for 17 outings this season and 40 times in her UF career
* Seven Gators contributed to UF’s 36 rebounds
* The Gators have secured 20+ points in 41 of 90 quarters played this season
* UF made 27 layups in 32 driving attempts (84%)
* Florida recorded a game total 76 possessions, converting for 1.13 points per possession
CAREER HIGHS:
Alexia Dizeko<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alexia-dizeko/16856>
FT Made
5
Vanderbilt 01/30/25
FT Attempts
5
Vanderbilt 01/30/25
Ra Shaya Kyle<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ra-shaya-kyle/16858>
FG Made
11
Vanderbilt 01/30/25
FG Attempts
15
vs North Florida 11/06/23, vs Vanderbilt 01/30/25
GATOR BITES:
Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/kelly-rae-finley/1866> on playing consistently:
“I have really been our team about playing hard and playing our best basketball. I think in the second quarter we were a little hesitant and we just aren’t our best when we are hesitant… Our focus needs to be on consistency and when we do that every night for forty minutes. When we do that, we are a very talented and very strong basketball team.”
Senior Ra Shaya Kyle<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ra-shaya-kyle/16858> on the Gators second half:
“I just thought we were really connected, as in the energy, everyone had belief in that moment and that has been something we have been preaching.”
TEAM RECORDS:
Florida: (11-11, 2-6 SEC)
Vanderbilt: (18-4, 5-3 SEC)
SERIES RECORD:
The all-time series between Florida and Vanderbilt stands in favor of Vanderbilt at 35-29.
NEXT UP:
Florida’s next SEC matchup will take place in Fayetteville on Monday evening. The Gators will tipoff against Arkansas at 7 p.m., marking matchup No. 23 of the 2024-25 season. The contest was slated for tv and will be aired on SECN.
NEXT UP: at Arkansas (9-14, 2-6 SEC)
* Date: Mon., Feb. 3
* Time: 7 p.m. ET
* Site: Bud Walton Arena
* Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM<https://admin.floridagators.com/watch/?Live=5548&type=Live>
* Watch: SECN<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/ab9c8f03-71eb-49ba-bccc-a82dc046ca3e>
* Live stats: Statbroadcast<https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=551509&vislive=fla>
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