Florida was overpowered by the No. 4 Gamecocks on Thursday night, falling 101-63 inside Colonial Life Arena.
<https://admin.floridagators.com/documents/2025/2/13/2551889.PDF>COLUMBIA, S.C.- Florida faced adversity on the road, dropping to No. 4 South Carolina. The Gators were outscored 101-63 and only had two players posting double figures in the scoring column. Liv McGill<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/liv-mcgill/16880> and Ra Shaya Kyle<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ra-shaya-kyle/16858> led UF on offense with 15 points apiece.
Alexia Gassett<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alexia-gassett/16882> led Florida’s defensive effort tallying eight rebounds. As a team, the Gators recorded a combined 37 rebounds, shot 33.3 percent from the field (22-66), and distributed 11 assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
IN THE FIRST:
* Kyle won the jump ball to give UF the first possession of the game
* McGill led in scoring with five of Florida’s 15 points
* The Gators shot 38.5 percent from the field (5-13)
* UF was out rebounded by the Gamecocks 13-4
* Jeriah Warren secured both of Florida’s steals
* The score stood at 36-15 to end the period
IN THE SECOND:
* Me’Arah O’Neal<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/me-arah-o-neal/16879> led the Gators with six points, shooting 2-2 from the field and 1-1 from the line
* McGill posted five points, distributed two assists, and snagged a steal
* Seven of UF’s 17 points were from second chances
* Florida tripled its rebounds from the first quarter, securing 12
* South Carolina’s largest lead of the half stood at 62-32 (00:08)
IN THE THIRD:
* 12 of the Gators 16 points were recorded inside the paint
* Florida recorded 11 rebounds-Gassett led UF with three
* The Gators went on an 8-0 run in the middle of the period (6:57-4:36)
* Kyle led in scoring with seven points and shot 100 percent from the field (3-3)
* UF shot a game high 43.8 percent from the field (7-16)
IN THE FOURTH:
* Florida saw the free throw line 11 times, converting for six points
* Kyle led the Gators in scoring once more with six points
* Six of UF’s points were from the bench, and six came from inside the paint
* UF brought in 10 rebounds with six players contributing on the boards
WORTH NOTING:
* UF had two players in double digits for scoring
* McGill (15), Kyle (15)
* McGill has hit double figures in 23 of her 25 outings as a Gator
* 10 of those games have been 20+ point outings
* The Gators shot 33.3 percent from the field (22-66)
* 28 of Florida’s 63 points were tallied inside the paint
* 17 of UF’s total points were credited to the bench
* The Gators saw the free throw line a combined 21 times, converting for 14 points
* McGill tallied four assists and has now led UF in ball distribution 19 times this season
* Five Gators contributed to UF’s 11 assists
* Florida was out rebounded by South Carolina 51-37
* Gassett led in rebounds for her third time at UF
* Eight Gators tallied two or more rebounds
* Gassett (8), Kyle (6), O’Neal (5), Warren (4), McGill (3), Salgues (2), Dizeko (2), and Kindred (2)
* The Gators have secured 20+ points in 46 of 102 quarters played this season
* UF made 10 layups in 26 driving attempts
* Florida recorded a game total 76 possessions, converting for 0.82 points per possession
GATOR BITES:
Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/kelly-rae-finley/1866> on South Carolina and the elite level of play:
“South Carolina is one of the best teams in the country for a reason. We have a young team that is full of competitors, so our ability to reset and understand that this is the pace, the transitions, and the physicality that the game is going to be played at was a need for us.”
Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/kelly-rae-finley/1866> on Florida’s takeaways:
“It is important to learn and grow after every single game-win or lose. And for us, there is a lot we can take away from this game in terms of the direction of our program, where we are trying to go, and what it is going to take to be able to get there.”
TEAM RECORDS:
Florida: (12-13, 3-8 SEC)
South Carolina: (23-2, 11-1 SEC)
SERIES RECORD:
The all-time series between Florida and South Carolina stands in favor of the Gamecocks at 23-20.
NEXT UP:
The Gators will return to Gainesville and host Mississippi State on Sunday, Feb. 16. The game is set to begin at 2 p.m. and will be streamed on SECN+.
The Bulldogs currently average 76.6 points per game and shoot an average 46.7 percent from the field. Jerkaila Jordan leads Mississippi State in scoring with 16.2 points per game, followed by Eniya Russell with 12.5. Defensively, MSU is led on the boards by Madina Okot with 9.2 rebounds a game.
NEXT UP: Mississippi State (17-8, 4-7 SEC)
* Date: Sun., Feb. 16
* Time: 2 p.m. ET
* Site: Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center<https://floridagators.com/facilities/?id=2>
* 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/0dbb7f2f-b748-4520-9fe8-07e78bf5ed32>
* Live stats: Statbroadcast<https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=552549>
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