The muffled uproar of fans inside Exactech Arena stood in contrast to the atmosphere in the Gators’ locker room following their first Southeastern Conference win of the season. While the result was welcomed, the response was measured rather than celebratory.
“We’re proud of ourselves for the fight, from the end to the beginning, but it’s expected,” junior guard Laila Reynolds said.
This victory strengthened a foundation the Gators are still constructing as they work toward their long-term goals. Rather than a defining moment, it represented another step in a longer process for the young roster establishing its identity in conference play.
Against Missouri, the Gators (13-8, 1-5 SEC) found a breakthrough. The team earned its first conference win of the season against the Tigers (13-9, 1-6 SEC) Jan. 16 in the Exactech Arena.
At the center of Florida’s progress is a trio — Reynolds, Liv McGill and Me’Arah O’Neal — that has become increasingly influential as conference play has unfolded.
Reynolds brings experience and stability, often stepping in when Florida needs a timely basket.
Sophomore guard McGill leads the group as Florida’s top scorer, setting the pace on both ends of the floor.
And sophomore forward O’Neal provides a presence in the paint while also stretching defenses with her ability to shoot from beyond the arc.
Their impact goes beyond individual production. The trio has developed a connection that allows them to play off of one another, particularly in late-game situations where communication and trust are critical.
“When people think about Florida, they think of us,” McGill said.
That chemistry has been essential in conference play, where Florida has faced the physicality and pace that define the SEC.
“I think the whole world knows that the SEC is the best conference,” McGill said. “Everybody’s strong, everybody’s fast.”
So far, Florida has been at the forefront of playing powerful opponents. Three of the Gators’ last six opponents were ranked. UF’s first two games that opened conference play were against then-No. 23 Tennessee (13-3, 5-0 SEC) and then-No. 3 South Carolina (19-2, 5-1 SEC).
In both of those contests, Florida remained on the heels of its challengers into the final 10 minutes, underscoring a pattern that has followed the team through the early portion of SEC play.
“We’re right there in all those games,” Reynolds said. “We’ve been working on just fighting those last little bits, those last little minutes.”
But due to slow starts and inconsistency, the Gators continued to fall short. Despite the results, each member of Florida’s core has embraced a defined role as conference play has progressed.
Reynolds has embraced that responsibility, using her aggressiveness to create offense when possessions tighten late. Her ability to attack the basket has become an important element for a Florida team learning how to close against elite competition. In conference play, she averages 1.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
McGill’s role extends beyond scoring. As Florida’s leading scorer, she has also assumed leadership responsibilities on the defensive end, where consistency and effort are demanded on every possession. She’s averaging 21.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists in SEC play.
She said she’s focused on “taking every possession at a time like it’s the game winner.”
O’Neal’s focus has been on communication and maintaining a forward-looking mindset as she adjusts to the SEC's physicality and pace. Over the last six games, she is averaging 13.3 points and five rebounds.
She chose Florida over LSU, her father’s alma mater, citing a stronger connection with the coaching staff as a key factor in her decision. That bond has only deepened on the court, contributing to the close relationship she shares with McGill and Reynolds.
“Just to play with two talented people, it’s a wonderful experience,” O’Neal said. “You’re constantly learning.”
Florida continues to prepare for its next challenge against LSU on Monday at 8 p.m. in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The upcoming matchup represents another test against one of the conference’s established programs and an opportunity to measure the Gators' growth.
Contact Isis Snow at isnow@alligator.org. Follow her on X @isis_snoww.
Isis is a senior sports journalism student who is in her fourth semester at The Alligator. She previously has written for the Avenue desk and has covered the Florida volleyball beat. She also has experience in live broadcast reporting with WUFT. Despite hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada, she is a life-long Michigan and Detroit Lions fan. To make up for the emotional toll of being a fan of those teams, you will often find her in the gym weight lifting and playing basketball.
