Florida Gators Women’s Basketball Triumphs Over Ole Miss
In an impressive display on Thursday night, the Florida Gators women’s basketball team triumphed over the No. 19 Ole Miss Rebels with a score of 74-67, marking their first win against a ranked opponent this season. This victory not only broke a frustrating seven-game losing streak against Ole Miss but also improved Florida’s record to 17 wins and 13 losses (5-10 in the SEC).
Standout Performances
Liv McGill was a standout performer, delivering a stellar 28-point performance while also contributing six rebounds and eight assists. Her exceptional play included a pivotal alley-oop layup for teammate Laila Reynolds, helping the Gators establish a commanding 63-51 lead early in the fourth quarter during a strong 12-1 run.
Despite an impressive scoring effort from Tianna Thompson, who netted a career-high 25 points including two important 3-pointers, Ole Miss (21-9, 8-7 SEC) could not close the gap significantly. They managed to come within five points as the game progressed, but crucial free throws from McGill and Me’Arah O’Neal in the closing moments sealed the Gators’ victory. Florida’s shooting efficiency was notable; they hit 59% of their attempts from the field and dominated inside the paint, outscoring Ole Miss 46 to 20.
Milestones and Key Moments
Furthermore, McGill’s performance included a significant milestone as she surpassed the previous single-season scoring record of 631 points, previously held by Tonya Washington, when she made a layup early in the third quarter.
The first half ended with Florida leading 40-37, thanks to a strong finish where they outscored the Rebels 15-5 with Ole Miss failing to make a field goal in the final five minutes of the half. The Rebels faced an additional setback when Latasha Lattimore, their third-leading scorer, sustained an injury in the third period and did not return.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Ole Miss will return home to face Texas A&M on Sunday for their final regular-season game, while Florida will look to capitalize on this momentum as they travel to challenge No. 23 Georgia to conclude their season.
