BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — The Gators secured their first 100-plus game of the season with a 78-point win over Gardner-Webb. The final score was 115-37, marking the Gators' second-highest scoring game in program history, previously 122 vs. Saint Francis on Dec. 12, 2015.
The 78-point margin of victory sets the program record. The previous high was a 69-point win over Lynn on Feb. 18, 1995.
Florida took the lead against Gardner-Webb within the first 20 seconds of competition and increased the scoring margin every quarter. In all four quarters the Gators scored 24 points or more, with a game high of 37 in the third.
Overall, the Gators were led by
Aliyah Matharu with 22 points, followed by a 20-point performance from
Alberte Rimdal, to set her season high. On the boards,
Laila Reynolds and
Ra Shaya Kyle led Florida, each securing 10 rebounds to contribute to their double-doubles. Reynolds' double-double is the first of her collegiate career and Kyle grabbed her fifth of the season.
IN THE FIRST:
- On offense, Aliyah Matharu led the Gators in scoring with eight points
- Florida ended the quarter shooting 50 percent from the field going 9-of-18
- The Gators dominated defensively with five steals and forcing seven turnovers on the Bulldogs
- Florida totaled 11 rebounds, with Laila Reynolds leading on the boards with three
- The Gators held Gardner-Webb to nine points in the first
IN THE SECOND:
- The Gators closed out the second shooting 55 percent from the field, going 11-of-20
- Laila Reynolds led the Gators in scoring with nine points in the second
- Florida held a 30-point lead going into the locker room at half
- The Gators outrebounded Gardner-Webb 14-to-5 in the second quarter
- Going into half, Florida was 100 percent from the free throw line (9-for-9)
IN THE THIRD:
- Florida finished the third shooting 88.2 percent from the field (15-for-17)
- The Gators were led by three players in scoring, each securing eight points apiece
- Florida's 37 points marks its highest scoring quarter of the season
- Rimdal shot 100 percent from the field in the third going four-of-four
- The Gators forced eight turnovers on the Bulldogs and converted those to a total of 14 points
IN THE FOURTH:
- Aliyah Matharu led Florida in scoring once more with 14 points in the fourth
- The Gators forced another six turnovers on Gardner-Webb, adding to their game total of 24
- Florida outrebounded the Bulldogs 14 to 8 in the final quarter
- Ra Shaya Kyle led Florida on the boards with four rebounds, followed by Reynolds and Matharu with three apiece
WORTH NOTING:
- Florida secured 24 or more points in every quarter of the game
- Quarter 1: 24
- Quarter 2: 29
- Quarter 3: 37
- Quarter 4: 25
- Laila Reynolds grabbed her first collegiate double-double and set her career high in rebounds with 10
- Ra Shaya Kyle secured her fifth double-double of the season
- Alberte Rimdal set her season high in scoring with 20 points
- Eriny Kindred set her season high in scoring with eight points
- Florida recorded the most players in double figures for scoring thus far in the 2023-24 season (6)
- Matharu (22)
- Rimdal (20)
- Reynolds (19)
- Kyle (13)
- Correa (12)
- Dut (10)
ROAD STRETCH CLOSING OUT
Florida is finishing out a seven-game road stretch that dates back to Nov. 20. The Gators have only one game remaining before returning to the O'Dome on Dec. 30 to play Winthrop.
SERIES RECORD
After Florida's win in Boiling Springs, the all-time series is officially tied at 1-1.
NEXT UP
Florida will remain in North Carolina and travel to Charlotte for the 2023 Jumpman Invitational at Spectrum Arena. The Gators will play fellow Jordan Brand school, Michigan Wednesday night for their third time in program history.
Michigan (9-2, 1-0 Big Ten), is coming to the Jumpman Invitational off a 75-49 win over Miami of Ohio on Dec. 16. In their most recent contest, Michigan was led by Elissa Brett with 27 points, but overall the Wolverines only have one player averaging in double figures this season, Laila Phelia (14.7 ppg).
MICHIGAN
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