The Gators contest at No. 4 South Carolina marks their seventh matchup against a top 25 team in the 2024-25 season. UF will look to defeat the Gamecocks and post their first win over a top five team since 2006.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.— Florida is set for its eleventh away game of the season as the team heads to Columbia to take on No. 4 South Carolina on Thursday evening. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET inside Colonial Life Arena.
This will be the first meeting between the Gators and the Gamecocks since January 4, 2024. Both squads enter the matchup looking to bounce back from recent defeats—Florida dropped an 84-66 decision to No. 23 Alabama, while South Carolina fell 66-62 to then-No. 4 Texas.
No. 4 South Carolina (22-2, 10-1 SEC)
- Date: Thurs., Feb. 13
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Site: Colonial Life Arena
- Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM
- Watch: SECN
- Live stats: Statbroadcast
What a Florida Win Would Mean
A victory over No. 4 South Carolina would mark several key milestones for the Gators. It would be Florida’s first win against a top-five opponent since 2006 and their first ranked win since 2022. The result would also level UF’s road record at 4-4 and improve their SEC standing to 4-7. Historically, it would bring Florida’s all-time SEC record to 230-332. For Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley, it would be her first career win over South Carolina while leading the Gators.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
| Florida | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| 77.8 | PPG | 80.3 |
| 69.8 | OPP PPG | 55.8 |
| 8 | SCORING MARGIN | 24.5 |
| 47 | FG % | 46.7 |
| 40.6 | OPP FG% | 34.6 |
| 33.8 | 3 FG% | 33.8 |
| 72.3 | FT % | 75 |
| 40.7 | REBOUNDS PG | 42.6 |
| 14.8 | ASSISTS PG | 16.6 |
| 16.8 | TURNOVERS PG | 12.4 |
| 7.4 | STEALS PG | 9.7 |
| 4 | BLOCKS PG | 6 |
Series Overview: Florida vs. South Carolina
The all-time series between Florida and South Carolina currently favors the Gamecocks, who hold a 22-20 edge.
Historical Matchup Notes
Florida and South Carolina have faced off 42 times since their first meeting in 1992. The rivalry has remained consistent, with annual matchups split evenly between Gainesville and Columbia—20 games each—and two contests held at neutral venues.
Thursday’s game marks Florida’s return to Colonial Life Arena for the first time since February 16, 2023, when the Gators recorded their 15th straight loss to South Carolina. Florida’s most recent win in the series came back in January 2011, when UF edged out a 65-63 victory on the road.
PROJECTED FLORIDA STARTERS:
| Florida | No. | Height | Position | Class | Hometown/Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexia Dizeko | 9 | 5-11 | F | Sr. | Sion, Switzerland |
| Laila Reynolds | 13 | 6-1 | G | So. | PG County, MD |
| Jeriah Warren | 20 | 6-0 | G | Sr. | Lake Charles, LA |
| Liv McGill | 23 | 5-9 | G | Fr. | Minneapolis, MN |
| Ra Shaya Kyle | 24 | 6-6 | C | Sr. | Marion, Ind. / Purdue |
FLORIDA'S LAST TIME OUT
On Thursday, February 6, Florida hosted No. 23 Alabama and fell 84-66 in Gainesville.
Liv McGill led the scoring effort with 22 points, marking her 22nd double-digit scoring game as a Gator—10 of which have been 20-point performances.
Ra Shaya Kyle added 15 points, while Laila Reynolds chipped in with 14. On the defensive end, Jeriah Warren led the rebounding effort, collecting 10 of Florida’s 44 total boards.
Gator Quick Hits
- McGill is the only freshman in the country with a triple-double this season
- McGill has tallied 10 games with 20+ points
- Florida is ranked No. 3 in the SEC and No. 17 in the NCAA with a 47.0 field goal percentage
- UF has four players averaging in double digits: McGill (16.4) Kyle (15.0), Jeriah Warren (12.5), and Laila Reynolds (10.8)
- McGill and Kyle are in the SEC's top 20 for scoring: McGill at No. 13 (16.4), and Kyle at No. 19 (15.0)
- Florida is No. 4 in the SEC through all games for 3-point FG percentage with 33.8
- Kyle is No. 11 in the country and No. 2 in the SEC for double-doubles with 12
- McGill is the No. 1 freshman in the NCAA for total assists (129), and average assists per game (5.4)
- Kyle is No. 4 in the SEC for rebounds per game (9.3)
- Florida is undefeated this season when their opponent is held to 69 points or less
- The Gators have secured 20+ points in 46 of 98 quarters played this season
- Kyle is No. 10 in the NCAA and No. 3 in the SEC with a field goal percentage of 61.9
- Kyle is No. 32 in the nation for total rebounds with 223
- Alexia Gassett leads Florida in total blocks with 21 on the season
- Liv McGill has hit double figures in 22 of her 24 outings at UF
PROJECTED SOUTH CAROLINA STARTERS:
| South Carolina | No. | Height | Position | Class | Hometown/Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Te-Hina Paopao | 0 | 5-9 | G | Sr. | Oceanside, Calif./ Oregon |
| Bree Hall | 23 | 6-0 | G | Sr. | Dayton, Ohio/ Wayne |
| Raven Johnson | 25 | 5-9 | G | Jr. | Atlanta, Ga./ Westlake |
| Chloe Kitts | 21 | 6-2 | F | Jr. | Oviedo, Fla./ DME Academy |
| Sania Feagin | 20 | 6-3 | F | Sr. | Ellenwood, Ga./ Forest Park |
SOUTH CAROLINA QUICK HITS
- The Gamecocks are No. 1 team in the nation for bench points, averaging 41.3 a game
- USC is No. 2 in the SEC for both scoring defense (55.8), and scoring margin (+24.5)
- South Carolina is No. 6 in the SEC and No. 24 in the nation for field goal percentage (46.7)
- The Gamecocks sit at No. 2 in the SEC and No. 5 in the NCAA for blocks per game averaging 6.0
- South Carolina is No. 4 in the SEC for defensive rebounds per game with 28.4
- Feagin leads South Carolina in field goal percentage with 58.0
- Joyce Edwards leads South Carolina in total points for the season with a combined 294
- Three Gamecocks are averaging double figures for scoring
- Edwards (12.3), MiLaysia Fulwiley (11.5), and Paopao (10.3)
- Chloe Kitts is No. 9 in the SEC for rebounding averaging 7.4 per game
- Feagin is No. 6 in the SEC for blocked shots with 38 on the season
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