From tipoff to the final whistle, Me’Arah O’Neal’s offensive and defensive prowess demanded the hardwood. The sophomore wing secured a career-high 20 points, marking the second consecutive game a Gator has broken records this season.
She also notched a double-double with a team-high 11 rebounds, further proving why she is tied for fourth in the SEC in rebounds per game (10.5).
“I think that the biggest adjustment, the biggest change that you see with Me’Arah, though, is how she carries herself,” UF head coach Kelly Rae Finley said. “If you can tell her strength on the court, her composure, her maturity.”
Florida (3-0) defeated Jacksonville (2-1) 100-55 Monday night at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, improving the Gators’ record against the Dolphins to 5-1.
It was an all-around effort from UF’s versatile roster, with 11 players contributing points to the scoring column to secure its third consecutive win for the third straight season.
Four Florida players reached double figures in scoring, compared to JU’s two.
“I have said this, and I’ll stand by it, the strength of our team is our team,” Finley said. “Everybody’s role is very, very, very much valued. And I think that on any given night, anybody can put the ball in the basketball, anybody can defend, right, and you have to be ready when your number is called.”
Sophomore guard Liv McGill reached 19 points, continuing her momentum from UF’s game against Chattanooga on Thursday, where she secured her career-high and set a program record in points (38). Junior guard Laila Reynolds followed with 17 points, most of which came from her 10-of-10 free throws.
Senior guard KN’isha Godfrey also recorded 10 points and shot perfectly in field goals (4-of-4), while freshman center Gift Ezekiel logged nine points on 3-of-3 field goals and 3-of-4 free throws.
Overall, the Gators shot 51% from the field, compared to the Dolphins’ 36%.
O’Neal set the tone early, snagging the tipoff and dunking a three-pointer 16 seconds into the game.
“I think the most important thing for me was just, during the last two games, being connected,” O’Neal said. “We emphasize getting to the paint.”
The Gators continued to pounce throughout the first quarter, holding the Dolphins to only six points and forcing 10 turnovers. UF also recorded seven steals in the quarter alone, ending with 14 by the end of the night.
Florida also held Jacksonville’s leading scorer, freshman guard Tatum Brown, to zero points in the first quarter. Brown closed the game with six points.
“We started the game beautifully,” Finley said. “I thought you saw from the jump what we’re capable of, both offensively and defensively. I thought we set the tone. We were aggressive on both ends of the floor.”
UF freshman forward Caterina Piatti scored her first career three-pointer in the first quarter. She almost reached her first career double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.
Although Jacksonville increased its momentum from the second quarter onward, Florida’s early advantage held firm. The Dolphins notched 14 points in the second quarter, but their turnover struggles and the Gators’ relentless offense prevented them from building any real momentum.
Overall, Jacksonville committed 25 turnovers, which the Gators capitalized on, scoring 32 points off them. Meanwhile, Florida had 13 turnovers.
“We had 13 turnovers, 14 assists, really reduced our turnovers,” Finley said. “We’ve done a great job in that area.”
O’Neal secured a layup in the last seconds of the second quarter to cap off a 10-0 run, allowing UF to enter halftime far ahead at 55-20.
It was an aggressive, scrappy battle, where multiple JU players found themselves on the floor, clawing for the ball despite the scoreboard. Halfway through the third quarter, the two teams had a scuffle, prompting a review of the play. The officials ruled flagrant one on JU senior forward Kali Howard and McGill.
Howard later recorded her fifth foul, forcing her out for the remainder of the game.
The Dolphins picked up the intensity in the third and fourth quarters, forcing 10 Gator turnovers. They even snagged a 6-0 run and were only outshot 25-19 in the third, but O’Neal’s 12 points helped keep the Gators ahead.
In the fourth quarter, the two teams traded points for the first few minutes. JU graduate student guard Priscilla Williams reached double digits, becoming the first Dolphins player to do so. She finished the game with a team-high 11 points.
JU junior guard Bailey Burns found her rhythm in the fourth quarter with seven points on 3-of-5 field goals and 1-of-2 free throws. She ended with 10 points.
Overall, Jacksonville had its best quarter of the game, only being outshot by UF 20-16. However, the Dolphins were too far behind for their final-quarter spurt to make a difference.
Ezekiel ended the match with a layup, drawing roars from the crowd as the Gators cinched the victory.
Florida returns to the O’Dome for its last game before travel play to face Samford (1-1) Thursday at 7 p.m.
Contact Amanda Roman at aroman@alligator.org. Follow her on X @mandy_romannn
Amanda is The Alligator's Assistant Sports Editor and a senior sports journalism student. She previously worked as the soccer and women's basketball reporter. She also interned at Fort Lauderdale United FC. In her free time, she enjoys weight lifting, shopping and reading.
