GAINESVILLE, Fla.—The Florida Women’s Basketball Team opened its 2025-26 season Monday evening, with a 96-62 victory over visiting North Florida. Preseason All-SEC Second Team selection Liv McGill nearly posted her second career triple-double with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists, as five different Gators scored in double figures.

KEY RUNS

            1st Quarter (Gators 18, Ospreys 12)

            The Ospreys jumped out to an early 8-3 lead with 3:08 gone in the first, but the Gators defense picked up the pace, holding North Florida scoreless for the next six-plus minutes. Florida scored 13 unanswered points during that stretch. Laila Reynolds led all scorers with 9 in the period.

 

            2nd Quarter (Gators 47, Ospreys 27)

            The Gators led by nine, 29-20, with 7:28 to go in the half before ripping off a 14-0 run over the next 4:15. Liv McGill scored 10 points in the quarter.

 

            3rd Quarter (Gators 79, Ospreys 46)

            Florida’s lead never dipped below 20 in the quarter. Freshman Caterina Piatti connected on all five of her shots from the floor to lead the Gators with 10 points.

 

            4th Quarter (Gators 96, Ospreys 62)

            Florida extended its lead to as many as 42 points on two occasions.

 

KEY STATS

            The Gators outshot the Ospreys from the field, 53.8% to 43.3%.

 

            The Gators outrebounded the Ospreys, 38-28, including 13-8 on the offensive glass.

 

            Florida forced the Ospreys into committing 31 turnovers which the Gators flipped into 44 Points. Meanwhile North Florida scored 19 points off of 17 Florida miscues.

 

            The Gators outscored the Ospreys 56-32 in the paint, 16-8 in second chance points and 35-6 in fast break points.

 

GAME NOTES

            This marks the 7th straight season that the Gators have won their season opener.

           

            Florida is now 16-2 at home in November under Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley.

 

            The Gators are now 9-0 all-time against North Florida. All 9 wins have come at home.

 

            Liv McGill scored 20 or more points for the 14th time in her career (25 points). She also came within 1 rebound and 1 assist of her second career triple-double.

 

            Me’Arah O’Neal grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds marking the second time she has recorded double figure rebounds in a game. She added 14 points for her second career double-double. Her previous career high was 11 boards at Missouri on January 12, 2025.

 

            Laila Reynolds poured in 19 points, giving her 27 career games scoring 10 or more points.

 

            Freshman Caterina Piatti got the first start of her collegiate career and recorded her first double-digit scoring effort (14 points).

 

            Freshman Nyadeing Yiech came off the bench to score 10 points.

Post Game Press Conference: Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley, Guard Liv McGill and Forward Me’Arah O’Neal

 

NEXT OPPONENT

            The Gators remain at home, hosting Chattanooga on Thursday as part of a doubleheader with the men’s team. Tip for the women’s game is slated for 5 pm ET at Exactech Arena at Stephen C O’Connell Center. The men tip at 8 pm against North Florida.

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