The Gators run in the WBIT came to a close in the semifinals against Minnesota. Florida will now return to Gainesville with a 19-18 record for the 2024-25 season.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Florida’s postseason run came to an end Monday night with a 66–52 loss to Minnesota in the WBIT semifinals at Hinkle Fieldhouse. This marked the Gators’ first semifinal appearance since 2013 and their deepest push in WBIT history.
The game opened with a competitive first half, featuring multiple lead changes. Florida briefly regained control in the second quarter, but Minnesota responded with a decisive 12–0 run to take a double-digit lead into halftime. Despite cutting the deficit to eight in the second half, Florida couldn’t overcome Minnesota’s defense.
Freshman Liv McGill once again led the Gators in scoring, posting 18 points against her hometown team. It was her 33rd double-digit performance of the season and her 20th time leading the team in scoring. With the season’s conclusion, McGill now holds the program record for most points scored by a freshman in a single season—611 total—surpassing Quientella Bonner’s long-standing mark of 489 set in 1977.
🔹 Florida’s 2025 Postseason Highlights
- First-ever WBIT semifinal appearance
- First postseason semifinal since 2013
- 5–2 record in postseason play
- 3–2 all-time in WBIT competition
- First winning season since 2022–23
- Coach Kelly Rae Finley earned her first postseason quarterfinal win
🔹 Game Breakdown
First Quarter
- McGill opened scoring with a three-pointer in the first 20 seconds
- Florida forced seven turnovers and converted 15 points from 19 possessions
- Reynolds led defensively with three rebounds
- McGill scored seven points on 3-of-7 shooting
- Minnesota led 16–15 at the end of the quarter
Second Quarter
- Florida regained the lead with a 9–2 run
- McGill led all scorers with 11 points
- Minnesota responded with a 12–0 run to close the half
- Halftime score: Minnesota 37, Florida 29
Third Quarter
- Reynolds led Florida with five points
- Florida outrebounded Minnesota 9–7
- Five Gators contributed at least two points
- Florida trailed 52–40 heading into the fourth
Fourth Quarter
- Me'Arah O'Neal scored six points early in the quarter
- Kyle led on the boards with three rebounds
- Gassett recorded Florida’s only steal
- Florida shot 35.7% from the field and was outscored 14–12
🔹 Notable Stats
- McGill (18) and Reynolds (11) reached double figures
- McGill has 14 games with 20+ points this season
- Florida went 6-for-6 from the free throw line (season-high percentage)
- Forced 15 turnovers, converting for eight points
- Bench contributed 10 points
- McGill led with nine rebounds
- Kyle finished the season with 16 double-doubles
- Salgues led in assists with four
- Florida led for just 4 minutes and 56 seconds
- 52 points marked Florida’s third-lowest scoring game of the season
- UF is now 2–5 in neutral-site games
CAREER HIGHS:
| Kenza Salgues | 4 | vs Minnesota 03/31/25 |
| Assists | ||
| Laila Reynolds | 3 | vs Marshall 12/08/24, vs Minnesota 03/31/25 |
| 3 FG Attempts |
CAREER HIGHS:
Florida: 19-18, (6-12 SEC)
Minnesota: 24-11, (8-10 BIG 10)
SERIES RECORD:
The series between the Gators and Golden Gophers now stands at 1-0 in favor of Minnesota.
Bench Talk
Coach Susie Gardner and her overall thoughts:
"First of all, we are really proud of our season and the way we finished the season, and our young players that are sitting up here. A lot of credit to Minnesota. They played great defense. Their defense was better than our offense tonight. But I think we set a foundation."
Freshman Liv McGill on her takeaways from the season:
"Some things I would take away is just be where your feet are, one game at a time. I learned that the games early in the season are just as important at the end of the season. I will not take that for granted again being a freshman. I will know and have experience now under my best, and I will not make that mistake again."
Sophomore Laila Reynolds on her time playing in the WBIT:
"It was just a great opportunity just to be playing in this tournament and in March. No matter what it was, no matter the outcome, I'm just happy to be able to compete with my teammates."
FLORIDA'S POSTSEASON BREAKDOWN:
| Date | Opponent | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/5/25 | Auburn | SEC | W, 60-50 |
| 3/6/25 | Alabama | SEC | W, 63-61 |
| 3/7/25 | LSU | SEC Quarterfinals | L, 101-87 |
| 3/20/25 | Northern Iowa | WBIT | W, 83-71 |
| 3/23/25 | UNLV | WBIT | W, 86-84 |
| 3/27/25 | Texas Tech | WBIT Quarterfinals | W, 67-63 |
| 3/31/25 | Minnesota | WBIT Quarterfinals | L, 66-52 |
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