The Gators finished their time in Greenville Friday night in the quarterfinals, dropping to No. 9 LSU. Florida will now return home and remain hopeful for a 2025 postseason invite.
Greenville, S.C. — Florida’s 2025 SEC Tournament journey came to a close with a 101–87 loss to No. 9 LSU at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Despite a strong showing that included six Gators scoring in double figures, Florida couldn’t overcome the Tigers after playing three games in as many days.
Liv McGill led the Gators in scoring for the second straight game, finishing with 16 points and six assists. Jeriah Warren followed with 14 points, hitting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
LSU’s Aneesah Morrow proved difficult to contain, posting 36 points. The Tigers also held a 41–31 rebounding edge and shot 50.7% from the field, while Florida connected on 47.6% of its attempts.
Florida’s SEC Tournament Highlights
- Reached the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year
- Defeated No. 6 seed Alabama in an upset win
- Only SEC team to win back-to-back games to reach the quarters
- Last remaining team in the bracket that did not receive a bye
- All-time SEC Tournament record now stands at 26–43
- 2–1 in 2025 postseason play
- 5–4 in SEC Tournament games under
Coach
Kelly Rae Finley (2022–25)
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter
- Scored 16 points, shooting 46.2% (6-of-13)
- Went 3-of-5 from the line (60%)
- Trailed LSU for 9:42 of the period
- Forced three turnovers on 20 possessions
- Warren added four points and two assists
- Outrebounded 13–7
- Ended the quarter down 26–16
Second Quarter
- Held LSU scoreless for the first 2:20
- Closed the gap to 26–21 early in the period
- Shot 38.9% (7-of-18) and went 2-of-2 from the line
- McGill led with six points and three rebounds
- Bench contributed seven points, with six in the paint
- Warren and Salgues each hit a three-pointer
- Trailed 53–34 at halftime
Third Quarter
- Opened with an 11–2 run
- Limited LSU to one field goal in the first 3:15
- Scored 11 points off turnovers
- Tallied eight assists
- Reynolds recorded two blocks
- Scored a game-high 28 points, shooting 60% (9-of-15)
- Went 3-of-3 from three-point range and 7-of-8 from the line
Fourth Quarter
- Ra Shaya Kyle led with six points and five rebounds
- Added 25 points, shooting 47.1%
- Bench chipped in nine points, with 10 in the paint
- Five players contributed to five assists
- Shot 7-of-8 from the line, including perfect trips by Dizeko and Kyle
- Grabbed 12 rebounds, their highest of any quarter
Noteworthy Performances & Stats
- Six Gators in double figures: McGill (16), Warren (14), Gassett (13), Kyle (11), Dizeko (10), Reynolds (10)
- Gassett set a career high with 13 points
- Kyle recorded her 15th double-double of the season, 27th of her UF career
- McGill has scored in double digits in 30 of 33 games, including 12 with 20+ points
- Outscored LSU in the third (28–25) and fourth (25–23) quarters
- Scoring breakdown: 51% from two-point range, 28% from three, 22% from the line
- Made 8 three-pointers, held LSU to 5
- Free throw shooting: 19-of-23 (82.6%), with McGill (5–5), Dizeko (2–2), Reynolds (2–2) perfect
- Scored 28 points in the paint, 26 from the bench, 10 on fast breaks, 13 on second chances
- Forced 13 LSU turnovers, converting for 15 points
- Kyle led with 11 rebounds, Reynolds had all three blocks
- Totaled 19 assists, led by McGill (6) and Reynolds (4)
- McGill has now led in assists 25 times this season
- Florida has scored 20+ points in 54 of 134 quarters this season
- Converted 7-of-15 layup attempts (47%)
- Finished with 80 possessions, averaging 1.08 points per possession
- Trailed LSU for a total of 39 minutes and 35 seconds
CAREER HIGHS:
| Alexia Dizeko | ||
| 3 FG Made | 2 | vs Florida A&M 11/07/24, at Arkansas 02/03/25, vs LSU 03/07/25 |
| Alexia Gassett | ||
| Points | 13 | vs LSU 03/07/25 |
Reflections from Coach Finley and Senior Leaders
Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley shared her thoughts on Florida’s performance against LSU and the team’s postseason outlook:
"It is disappointing to lose, but LSU is a very talented, very strong basketball team. I liked our fight, especially in the second half. I wasn't very happy at halftime; I didn't think our initial connection was great—we started out hesitant. Hesitant doesn't look good on us, and we were the team that had nothing to lose and we need to play like that. Overall, this team enjoys playing together and my hope is we get invited to the WBIT."
On the team’s growth throughout the season, Kelly Rae Finley added:
"This team went through a lot of changes early in the season and when you think about how long the season is, each run, each team is unique and special to themselves. This team lost 71% of our scoring from last season and we averaged eight points more per game. In our last six games leading up to today we have been in the top-40 for defensive. We have made a lot of progress from January to February and we have talked about that quite a bit."
Senior
Jeriah Warren reflected on the team’s chemistry and preparation during their SEC Tournament run:
"We just spent a lot of time together as a team and with the coaching staff. We went on walks and made real time to enjoy because it goes by fast."
Senior
Ra Shaya Kyle spoke about her personal growth and the impact of Coach Finley:
"I learned a lot. Kelly and the coaching staff changed me—game wise and who I am as a person on and off the court. Mostly I would say, as a person after I leave Florida, I have been instilled with a lot of good. I have been set up well for after and I have loved playing for her."
TEAM RECORDS:
Florida: 16-17, (6-12 SEC)
LSU: 28-4, (13-4 SEC)
Series Record: Florida vs. LSU
The historical matchup between Florida and LSU leans in favor of the Tigers, who hold a 34–16 edge in the all-time series. The Gators have dropped their last five consecutive meetings with LSU, dating back to February 20, 2022.
What’s Next for the Gators
Florida now heads back to Gainesville, awaiting word on a potential bid to the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). The Gators participated in the 2024 WBIT, serving as a host site before exiting in the first round.
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