GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Jade Weathersby scored a season-high 13 points, while Me’Arah O’Neal (17 points, 10 rebounds) and Liv McGill (12 points, 10 assists) recorded double-doubles leading the Gators (10-2) to an 85-41 victory over visiting West Georgia (4-4), Sunday.

KEY RUNS

1st Quarter (Gators 18, Wolves 5)

• West Georgia scored the first basket of the game, but the Gators netted 18 of the next 21 to close the quarter. The Wolves committed six turnovers in the period, and went one for eight from the field. This marks the ninth time this year that Florida has held an opponent below 10 points in a quarter. Seven different Gators scored in the period led by Alexia Dizeko’s five.

2nd Quarter (Gators 47, Wolves 26)

• Florida methodically extended its lead to as many as 23 in the second as the Gators made nine of their first 11 shots of the period. The Wolves’ Asia Donald led all scorers with 10 in the quarter while Jade Weathersby’s nine paced the Gators. Florida forced West Georgia into seven turnovers while committing none of their own.

3rd Quarter (Gators 64, Wolves 31)

• The Gators scored the first 15 points coming out of the intermission to go up 62-26 with 4:29 remaining in the third. West Georgia missed all 13 of its shots from the field including all seven attempts from beyond the arc. Florida had difficulty finding the bottom of the net as well going five for 21 from the field and one for eight from distance. Me’Arah O’Neal led all scorers with seven points. This marks the 10th time this year that Florida has held an opponent below 10 points in a quarter.

4th Quarter (Gators 85, Wolves 41)

• An 8-0 run early in the fourth, and a 7-0 run in the back half of the quarter pushed Florida’s advantage to as many as 46. Florida again locked in on the defensive end holding the Wolves to two of 13 shooting including oh for six from three-point range. Seven different Gators scored in the period led by Liv McGill’s six.

KEY STATS

• Florida shot 42.6% from the field (29-68), while the Wolves shot 19.6% (9-46).
• The Wolves made one of 21 shots from beyond the arc, while the Gators went 6 for 24.
• Florida went 21 for 25 from the free throw line, while West Georgia made 22 of 35.
• The Gators outscored the Wolves 46-14 in the paint, and 25-0 in fast break points.
• The Gators outrebounded the Wolves on the offensive glass 18-8, leading to a 19-11 advantage in second chance points.
• Florida forced West Georgia into 21 turnovers, which the Gators flipped into 25 points, while the Wolves caused 14 Florida miscues, which they turned into four points.
• The Gators had 24 assists on 29 made baskets.
• Florida got a season-high 36 points from its bench.

FROM THE GATORS’ MOUTHS

• Coach Finley on the depth of the bench…

  • “I truly believe the strength of our team is our team. As a coach, I have a lot of confidence in every single one of our student athletes being able to come in and contribute, no matter what the need is for that game. Next game, is going to be a totally different game. Our littles are going to have to be ready to play. Florida A&M is extremely fast, they play five guards, they’re quick, they’re downhill. That’s something, Me’Arah and I have competed together in a lot of games now, she understands that ‘Okay, it might be a totally different game plan, but we do what we do.’ There’s somebody

• Coach Finley on Alexia Dizeko scoring the three today and what she saw from her for that outcome…

  • “I thought Lex played with a lot of joy tonight. I tried to give her a little bit of a rest, her foot’s been bothering her a little bit here. She played with a lot more joy. She is fun to coach, I told her before the game that I had the best job in the world. I get to coach this team and they’re all special and unique in their own right. Lex is a good three-point shooter, it hasn’t been falling for her lately. She works tirelessly at it, but as you know you kind of just have to relax a little bit to make things happen and I think she’s one of the best defenders in the SEC. Undoubtedly. She took three charges, and to that taking charges is sacrificing your body for the good of the team. It takes an incredible defensive IQ to be able to anticipate charges, to see it, stand there and then take it. She is elite at that.”

• Jade Weathersby on who has helped her assimilate to the Florida program…

  • “Being completely honest, I feel like almost everybody on the team has helped me in their own way. I’m learning different aspects from different players of the game when it comes to my development. Like Me’Arah, great person for learning the game down low, or I might talk to Laila when it comes to learning getting that three-spot. So, honestly the whole team has contributed greatly to that.”

Post Game Press Conference: Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley, Jade Weathersby and Me’Arah O’Neal 

GATOR BITES

• The Gators are now 1-0 all-time against West Georgia.
• Florida is now 33-3 at home in the months of November and December, and 13-1 in December, during the Kelly Rae Finley-era.
• Florida is now 7-0 at home this season, and has won 14 consecutive home games against non-conference opponents.
• Eleven of the 12 Gators scored in the game.
• Florida’s 24 assists are the most they have had in a game this season. The last time they had more than 24 was on December 3, 2016 when they handed out 30 against Long Beach State.
• The 36 points scored by Florida’s bench are the most in a game this season (30 vs. Samford on Nov. 13).
• The Gators made 21 of 25 free throws in the game (.840) which is the highest percentage of free throws they have made all season. The last time they made a higher percentage while taking at least 25 free throws was against Auburn on March 3, 2024 when they went 28 for 30 (.933)
• The Gators held the Wolves to five points in the first quarter, and five in the third, which marks the ninth and 10th times this season that Florida has held an opponent below 10 points in a period.
• The Gators have held each of their 12 opponents this season below 70 points.
• Liv McGill scored in double figures for the 13th straight game (12 points), and recorded her fourth career point-assist double-double (10 assists). She was also one rebound shy of her second career triple-double.
• Me’Arah O’Neal recorded her fifth double-double of the season (17 points, 10 rebounds).
• Jade Weathersby’s 13 points are the most she has scored as a member of the Gators.

NEXT OPPONENT

           The Gators remain at home this week for a Wednesday, Dec. 17 tilt against Florida A&M. Tip at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center is slated for 3 p.m. EST on SECN+.

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