GAINESVILLE, Fla.— The Gators were challenged Sunday afternoon, falling 80-63 to an undefeated No. 5 LSU. Despite the loss, Florida out-rebounded the Tigers 44-38 and proved to be in the fight with seven Gators contributing to the scoreboard.

Liv McGill led the Gators with 21 points, securing her eighth 20+ point outing this season. Laila Reynolds totaled 16 points, followed by Ra Shaya who chipped in with 11. Kyle also led Florida on the boards alongside Me'Arah O'Neal, both logging seven rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
IN THE FIRST:

• LSU opened play with a 7-0 run, UF reciprocated immediately to even the score at 7-7
• Florida gained its first lead at 12-10 (5:21)
• The Gators held a six-point lead twice, marking their largest lead of the period
  • 16-10 (3:47), and 21-15 (00:59)
•  Kyle led UF in scoring with seven points, shooting 3-4 from the field and going 1-1 from the line
• 12 of the Gators 21 points were recorded inside the paint
• As a team, Florida shot 47.1 percent from the field (8-17)

IN THE SECOND:

• The Gators were held to 12-points and shot a game low 23.5 percent from the field (4-17)
• McGill led Florida in scoring with nine of UF's 12 points
• 25 percent of UF's points were off second chances
• Florida snagged a game high 14 rebounds  
• In the first half UF held the lead over LSU for six minutes and 32 seconds
• The score stood in favor of the Tigers at 37-33 to end the period
   

IN THE THIRD:

• LSU took a 15-point lead (53-38)—its largest in the first 30 minutes of play (4:43)
• McGill and Reynolds led Florida on offense with five points apiece
• The Gators went 5-11 from the field, shooting 45.5 percent
• Going into the final period, Florida was down by 11 (59-48)

IN THE FOURTH:

• Reynolds led in scoring with six of UF's 15 points
• Florida secured eight points from inside the paint
• LSU held its biggest lead at 76-48 (4:38)
• The Gators forced four turnovers on the Tigers
• O'Neal led on the boards, grabbing three of UF's eight rebounds

WORTH NOTING:

• Sunday's attendance of 6,568 marks the fourth highest crowd in program history
• Florida was held to 63 points—marking UF's third lowest scoring game of 2024-25
  • Lowest was 55 points vs. Kentucky (01/09/2025)
• McGill has now hit double figures in 18 of her 20 outings as a Gator
• The Gators shot 37.9 percent from the field (22-58)
• 24 of Florida's 63 points were tallied inside the paint
• Florida had three players in double figures for scoring
  • McGill (21), Reynolds (16), and Kyle (11)
• McGill led UF in scoring for her ninth time this season
• Florida distributed 11 assists
• McGill led UF in assists for the fourteenth time this season with six
• Kyle led on the boards, securing seven rebounds
  • Kyle has now led UF on the boards in 15 outings this season
• Nine Gators contributed to UF's total of 44 rebounds
• UF was forced a total 24 turnovers, their second most of the 2024-25 season
• The Gators have secured 20+ points in 39 of 82 quarters played this season
• UF made 12 layups in 19 driving attempts (63%)
• Florida recorded a game total 73 possessions, converting for 0.86 points per possession

 
CAREER HIGHS:

Kenza Salgues
Blocks	1	vs LSU 01/19/25

 
GATOR BITES:
Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley on finishing through 40 minutes:
"I've challenged our young team in how we compete for 40 minutes and I thought we competed harder today than we did against Ole Miss and for a longer period of time. We have two very young guards and I was pleased with the progress that they made in the last three days from Ole Miss to today."
 
Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley on Me'Arah O'Neal's Future as a Gator:
"All of our forwards are extremely versatile. We were able to move Me'Arah around to different positions, offensively and defensively. She's a really good three-point shooter. We haven't seen that translate to the game just yet, but in due time when it does, it's going to be really scary. I see her being consistent. She's extremely bought in and she's really driven. I see that paying off for her in a huge way."

TEAM RECORDS:
Florida: (11-8, 2-4 SEC)
LSU: (15-0, 5-0 SEC)
 
SERIES RECORD:
The all-time series between Florida and LSU stands in favor of the Tigers at 33-16.

NEXT UP:
The Gators next time on the hardwood will be Sunday, Jan. 26, at Auburn. Florida will matchup against the Alabama based Tigers at 3 p.m. ET inside Neville Arena.

NEXT UP: at Auburn (9-9, 0-5 SEC)

• Date: Sun., Jan. 26
• Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Site:  Neville Arena
• Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM
• Watch: SECN+
• Live stats: Statbroadcast

 
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