Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Senior guard Aliyah Matharu dribbles the ball on the Gators’ home court in Florida’s 77-74 loss against the Auburn Tigers, March 3, 2024.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Aliyah Matharu: All bark and all bite for the Gators

By Jack Meyer | Mar. 4, 2024

In the Florida Gators women’s basketball team’s “Unlaced” documentary series, senior guard Aliyah Matharu has a mindset that she feels sets her apart from the rest of the pack: she sees herself as a dog, and anyone standing in her way is dog food. After initially starting her collegiate career with a pair of stints at Mississippi State and Texas, Matharu transferred to UF in 2022. Although she had to wait a year to take the court for the Gators due to NCAA transfer rules, Matharu could already tell she found her home.

Gators men's tennis freshman Jeremy Jin shows emotion after a point in Florida's win over the University of Central Florida on Monday, February 19, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

After dropping the doubles point, the Gators rallied and dominated in singles

By Chandler Hawkes | Mar. 3, 2024

The Tigers came out flying in doubles play, and the Gators came out flat on the other side of the net. The LSU duo of senior Chen Dong and junior Julien Penzlin outplayed the UF freshmen pair of Jeremy Jin and Henry Jefferson from the very first point. They took the set 6-1, and the Gators were down on the other remaining courts.

Freshman Anya Pilgrim performs her floor routine in the Gators' annual Link to Pink meet on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

No. 5 Gators gymnastics claims sixth-consecutive SEC regular-season title

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Mar. 3, 2024

Pilgrim, however, kept the momentum alive with her elegant floor routine that earned her a 10. The freshman’s first collegiate perfect score followed with an all-around score of 39.675.

Florida freshman Qavia Lopez celebrates securing a point in the Gators women's tennis season opener against Baylor on Jan. 20, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators women’s tennis falls short against Texas A&M

By Max Bernstein | Mar. 3, 2024

Coming off a win in its conference opener Friday night, the No. 19 Florida Gators women’s tennis team (5-6, 1-1 SEC) fell short in its matchup against the No. 21 Texas A&M Aggies (10-5, 2-0 SEC) Sunday afternoon, losing 4-3.

Gators baseball left-handed pitcher Jac Caglianone pitches the ball in the team's 12-5 win over Columbia University on Sunday, February 25, 2024.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators win first road series in rubber match versus Miami

By Luke Adragna | Mar. 3, 2024

Caglianone went 3-for-5 at the plate and blasted a 408-foot home run. On the mound, he pitched six scoreless innings and struck out 11 batters.

Freshman defender Ashley Dyer takes the ball away from Florida’s net
during the Gators’ 21-4 win against the Jacksonville Dolphins, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators lacrosse dominates Arizona State

By Lacey Rogers | Mar. 3, 2024

The No. 11 Florida lacrosse team (3-2) took down the Arizona State Sun Devils (3-3) 22-6 in Tempe, Arizona, Sunday afternoon. The victory marked the Gators’ third-straight win.

Senior Zippy Broughton attempts a shot against an Auburn defender in the Gators' 77-74 loss against the Tigers, Sunday, March 3, 2024.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida’s senior day matchup against Auburn ends in heartbreak

By Jack Meyer | Mar. 3, 2024

The Tigers (19-10, 8-8 SEC) defeated the Gators (14-14, 5-11 SEC) 77-74 Sunday afternoon in Florida’s final matchup before the 2024 SEC Tournament.

Freshman Camyla Monroy dives in the Gators meet against Florida State, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida swim improves times at Auburn Invite

By Shaine Davison | Mar. 2, 2024

The Florida men’s and women’s swim team returned to Auburn this past weekend coming off of a SEC championship title for its last chance to improve times and odds of NCAA selection. The invite took place all day Friday and Saturday.

Florida junior golfer Sarunchana Rattanasin records her score after finishing up a hole at the Gators Invitational on Friday, March 1, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators women’s golf falls in home tournament

By Emma DiNicola | Mar. 2, 2024

Despite having the No. 1-ranked player in the country, senior Maisie Filler, the Gators women’s golf team failed to capture a victory in the Gators Invitational at Mark Bostick Golf Course. Florida earned third place in the tournament with a total score of 852 (12-over-par) through 54 holes.

Gators baseball freshman pitcher Liam Peterson strides to the plate in the team's win over Columbia University on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Miami defeats Florida baseball in Game 2 of weekend series

By Luke Adragna | Mar. 2, 2024

The Florida baseball team fell to the Miami Hurricanes 10-6 in Game 2 of its weekend series. The Gators will play a rubber match with the Hurricanes on Sunday.

Gators men's basketball guard Zyon Pullin pulls up for a jump shot in the team's win against LSU on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida struggles late in second half, falls to South Carolina 82-76

By Max Tucker | Mar. 2, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team held the lead late in the second half against South Carolina but were unable to escape Columbia with a win.

Gators freshman third baseman Ariel Kowalewski gets prepared to field the ball in the team's loss to Oklahoma State on Monday, February 19, 2024.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida suffers first run-rule loss of season to Michigan

By Hailey Hurst | Mar. 2, 2024

The Florida softball team fell to the Michigan Wolverines 10-2 to close out its final day of the Judi Garman Classic.

Florida baseball first baseman Jac Caglianone stares the pitcher down in the team's opening night loss to St. John's University on Friday, February 16, 2024.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida defeats Miami behind late offensive push

By Luke Adragna | Mar. 1, 2024

Behind three home runs and a strong outing out of the bullpen from Ryan Slater, the Gators baseball team defeated the Miami Hurricanes 7-3 in Game 1 of a three-game series.

Junior Bente Spee readies herself for a point in a doubles match in the Gators' 6-1 win against Baylor, Saturday, January 20, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators women’s tennis gets back on track with win in SEC opener against LSU

By Max Bernstein | Mar. 1, 2024

The No. 19 Florida Gators women’s tennis team (5-5, 1-0 SEC) were in desperate need of a win heading into its SEC opener, Friday night against the Louisiana State Tigers (7-3, 0-1 SEC).

Gators softball redshirt senior Skylar Wallace follows through on a swing in Florida's win over Jacksonville University on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball increases win streak to 11, defeats UCLA and DePaul

By Hailey Hurst | Mar. 1, 2024

The Gators softball team extended its win streak to 11 games after two wins over UCLA and DePaul Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators men’s tennis opens SEC play with important sweep over No. 12 Texas A&M

By Chandler Hawkes | Mar. 1, 2024

The Gators men’s tennis team upset the No. 12 Texas A&M Aggies 4-0 in its SEC opener.

Florida softball freshman right-handed pitcher Keagan Rothrock pitches the ball in the Gators' loss to Oklahoma State on Monday, February 19, 2024.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball continues to roll with two wins out West

By Hailey Hurst | Mar. 1, 2024

The Gators softball team earned its ninth straight run-rule victory with two wins to open the Judi Garman Classic, Thursday.

Senior guard Leilani Correa holds possession against a Razorback defender during the Gators' 85-81 win over Arkansas, Thursday, February 8.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida’s comeback effort against Alabama falls short in final minutes

By Jack Meyer | Feb. 29, 2024

The Gators (14-13, 5-10 SEC) dropped a 76-73 loss to the Crimson Tide (22-8, 9-6 SEC) on Thursday evening. After trailing for the vast majority of the ball game, Florida nearly strung together a last-second comeback in the fourth quarter, but to no avail.

Gators baseball freshman left-hander Robert Satin pitches the ball in the team's 13-4 win over the University of North Florida on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida cruises past Bethune-Cookman to wrap up midweek slate

By Luke Adragna | Feb. 28, 2024

Florida got back on schedule and cruised past Bethune-Cookman Wednesday night. The Gators are set for an in-state matchup with Miami over the weekend.

Junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. shoots at the buzzer in the the Gators' 83-74 win over the Missouri Tigers.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Samuel shines as Florida claims seventh-straight win on home court

By Max Tucker | Feb. 28, 2024

The No. 24 Florida Gators men’s basketball team (20-8, 10-5 SEC) defended its home court at Exactech Arena 83-74 on its way to handing the Missouri Tigers (8-20, 0-15 SEC) Wednesday.