GAINESVILLE, Fla.—Florida’s women’s basketball program begins its 2025–26 campaign on Monday, November 3, hosting the North Florida Ospreys. The matchup at Exactech Arena inside the Stephen C. O’Connell Center is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET.
The Gators, who finished 19-18 overall and 5-11 in SEC play last season, enter the new year after making their fifth consecutive postseason appearance. Three starters return to the lineup: sophomore guard Liv McGill (16.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.05 steals per game), junior Laila Reynolds (10.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.97 blocks per game), and graduate student Alexia Dizeko (5.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, .340 three-point percentage).
McGill earned a spot on the All-SEC preseason second team, as chosen by league coaches. Her freshman season set a program record for points in a single year (611) and ranked second among Gators rookies in both assists (192) and steals (76), trailing only All-American Brandi McCain '02.
North Florida, which posted a 5-26 record in 2024–25, brings back four players from last season. Sophomore Jamisyn Stinson (7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds per game) is the Ospreys’ leading returning scorer.
North Florida
(5-26 in 2024-25)
- Date: Monday, November 3
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Site: Exactech Arena
- Radio: ESPN 98.1FM / 850AM WRUF / 103.7 hd 2
- Watch: SECN+
- Live stats: FloridaGators.com
A FLORIDA WIN WOULD …
- Mark the 7th straight year that the Gators have opened the regular season with a victory
- Improve the Gators record to 9-0 against the Ospreys
- Up the Gators November home record under Coach Finley to 16-2
TALE OF THE TAPE (2024-25 Statistics)
| Florida | North Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| 74.6 | PPG | 62 |
| 71.3 | OPP PPG | 73.8 |
| 3.4 | SCORING MARGIN | -11.8 |
| 45.1 | FG % | 38.4 |
| 40.9 | OPP FG% | 45 |
| 32.2 | 3 FG% | 27.8 |
| 31.3 | OPP 3 FG% | 32.7 |
| 5.6 | 3FG/G | 6.8 |
| 73.1 | FT % | 72.4 |
| 39.5 | REBOUNDS/G | 33.3 |
| 35.6 | OPP REBOUNDS/G | 38.1 |
| 3.9 | REB MARGIN | -4.8 |
| 14.5 | ASSISTS/G | 10.6 |
| 17.1 | TURNOVER/G | 17.7 |
| 0.8 | A/TO RATIO | 0.6 |
| 7.3 | STEALS/G | 7.8 |
| 3.9 | BLOCKS/G | 1.9 |
THE SERIES
The Gators are 8-0 all-time against North Florida.
GATORS vs. OSPREYS HISTORY
Florida and North Florida have met on the hardwood eight times before tonight’s contest, with matchups occurring in each of the past three seasons. Every game in the series has taken place on the Gators’ home floor. Florida holds eight wins in the rivalry, seven of which came by double‑digit margins. In last year’s 75–47 victory, RA Shaya Kyle posted 18 points and 9 rebounds, while Liv McGill and Laila Reynolds each added 16 points.
PROJECTED FLORIDA STARTERS
| Florida | No. | Height | Position | Class | Hometown/Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Me'Arah O'Neal | 8 | 6-4 | F | So. | Houston, Texas |
| Alexia Dizeko | 9 | 5-11 | F | Gr. | Sion, Switzerland |
| Laila Reynolds | 13 | 6-1 | G | Jr. | PG County, MD |
| Caterina Piatti | 24 | 6-4 | C | Fr. | Scandiano, Italy |
| Liv McGill | 23 | 5-9 | G | So. | Minneapolis, MN |
FLORIDA'S LAST TIME OUT
In last year’s postseason, Florida competed in the WBIT, earning wins over Northern Iowa, UNLV, and Texas Tech before being eliminated in the semifinals by Minnesota, 66–52. Against the Golden Gophers, Liv McGill led the team with 18 points, while also collecting nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Laila Reynolds added 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists. The appearance marked Florida’s fifth consecutive trip to postseason play.
GATOR QUICK HITS
- Florida closed the 2024–25 season ranked seventh in the SEC in overall field goal percentage (.451), eighth in three‑point shooting (.322), seventh in free throw accuracy (.731), seventh in rebounds (39.5 per game), fifth in defensive boards (27.3 per game), and seventh in rebound margin (+3.9).
- Within conference action, the Gators placed sixth in field goal percentage (.436), sixth in three‑point shooting (.336), sixth in rebounds (37.6 per game), fourth in defensive rebounds (26.3 per game), and seventh in rebound margin (+1.9).
- Liv McGill finished her freshman campaign ranked 12th in SEC scoring (16.5 ppg), fourth in assists (5.2 apg), 10th in steals (2.1 spg), 18th in field goal percentage (.429), 15th in free throw percentage (.734), and 18th in minutes played (31.1 mpg).
- McGill was one of only two freshmen nationwide to record a triple‑double last season (21 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Missouri on January 12, 2025). The other was Yahmani McKayle of Massachusetts, who tallied 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against Stonehill on March 20.
- McGill’s 192 assists were the highest total by any freshman in the country, with Michigan’s Mila Holloway next at 148.
- Her 611 points ranked third nationally among freshmen.
- McGill scored in double figures in 33 of her 37 games.
- Laila Reynolds finished 15th in the SEC in blocks (1.0 per game) and reached double‑digit scoring in six of her final seven contests.
NORTH FLORIDA QUICK HITS
- The Ospreys return only three players from last season’s roster.
- Sophomore Jamisyn Stinson is the team’s top returning scorer, averaging 7.8 points per game on 36.3 percent shooting overall and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.
- North Florida went winless on the road in 2024–25 (0–16). Their most recent away victory came on January 13, 2024, with a 76–57 result over Queens University of Charlotte.
