Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida graduate student guard Myreon Jones drives to the basket against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida’s defense plays key in 3 game winning streak

By Jackson Reyes | Jan. 17, 2023

The Gators (10-7, 3-2 SEC) continue to build momentum as they head past the midway point of the season. Florida secured its first SEC win against the Georgia Bulldogs and followed it up with two more wins against Louisiana State and Missouri. Their defense has been a point of emphasis over the winning streak.

Gators Axel Nefve (left) and Will Grant (right) share the court in their doubles match during Florida’s 5-2 loss to Texas Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. Nefve and Grant lost to the No. 7-ranked pair of Longhorns Cleeve Harper and Eliot Spizzirri.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators tennis loses second straight season opener to No. 8 Texas

By Kyle Bumpers | Jan. 17, 2023

Florida (0-1), which is ranked No. 13 nationally, had lofty expectations after the team’s strong performances in the Fall season. However, Florida was overwhelmed by Texas (1-0), 5-2, at the Alfred A. Ring Complex Sunday.

Alicia Dudeney during the Gators' match against the South Alabama Jaguars on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex. UAA Communications photo by Jashari Blige

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators open season with Singles Championship and Doubles Co-Championship

By Luke Adragna | Jan. 16, 2023

The No. 18 Gators competed against host UNLV and four top-20 teams: No. 8 Stanford, No. 10 Pepperdine, No.13 Oklahoma State and No.16 University of California, Los Angeles.

Florida graduate student forward Colin Castleton drives toward the basket against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Castleton named SEC Player of the Week

By Brandon Hernandez | Jan. 16, 2023

Florida graduate student forward Colin Castleton was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week Monday. It marks his fourth career SEC Player of the Week honor and his first this season.

Florida guard KK Deans takes the ball in the Gators' 82-77 loss to the Lady Bulldogs Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators lose to Wildcats after turnover-heavy second half

By Austin Stirling | Jan. 15, 2023

Florida (12-6, 1-4 SEC) was defeated at home by Kentucky (9-9, 1-5 SEC) 81-75 Sunday after a dominant second half by the Wildcats.

Florida junior Will Grant lines up in the Gators 5-2 loss to the No. 8 Texas Longhorns Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators toppled by No. 8 Longhorns in season opener

By Kyle Bumpers | Jan. 15, 2023

The No. 13 Florida Gators (0-1) lost to the Longhorns (1-0) 5-2 Sunday in the Alfred A. Ring Complex. Junior Will Grant and freshman Jonah Braswell picked up the only Gators victories.

Florida's Claire Bryant competes in the high jump during the Pepsi Florida Relays on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at Percy Beard Track at James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. The women's team won the SEC Outdoor Championship Saturday, June 11, 2022. / UAA Communications photo by Tiffany Franco

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida outruns competition and their own past records at first indoor meet

By Namari Lock | Jan. 14, 2023

The track and field team placed first in 12 events with 14 athletes producing new personal records at the Clemson Invitational Friday and Saturday.

Florida forward Colin Castleton wards off a Georgia defender in the Gators' 82-75 victory over the Bulldogs Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators take down No. 20 Missouri at home to extend winning streak

By Brandon Hernandez | Jan. 14, 2023

Florida (10-7, 3-2 SEC) defeated the Tigers (13-4, 2-3 SEC) 73-64 in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Saturday. The Tigers were held to 17% from three. UF put the game away in the second half thanks to sophomore guard Will Richard, who scored a team-high 18 points and tied his season high.

Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall takes the field in the Gators' 45-38 loss to the Florida State Seminoles Friday, Nov. 25, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall to return for 2023 season

By Topher Adams | Jan. 14, 2023

Florida junior wide receiver Ricky Pearsall announced in a Twitter post that he’ll be returning to Florida for the 2023 season instead of declaring for the NFL Draft.

Senior diver Elettra Neroni begins her dive against Florida Atlantic Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida swimming & diving teams sweep Florida Atlantic in final home event of season

By Topher Adams | Jan. 14, 2023

Florida’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs ended their home seasons with a sweep of the Florida Atlantic Owls. The No. 4 men (4-1) won 209-77, while the No. 8 women (5-1) earned a 207-83 victory.

Florida guard Kyle Lofton dribbles the ball in the Gators' 82-75 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida welcomes No. 20 Missouri to Gainesville Saturday

By Brandon Hernandez | Jan. 14, 2023

Florida (9-7, 2-2 SEC) and Missouri (13-3, 2-2 SEC) will have a chance to get above .500 in conference play with a victory.

Leanne Wong dismounts after her bar routine against the Auburn Tigers Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Leanne Wong headlines impressive Florida win against No. 5 Auburn

By Jori Rzepecki | Jan. 13, 2023

The Gators finished with a score of 197.825, edging out Auburn, which finished with a score of 197.200. The Gators won three of the four events and put on a show for the sold-out Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The 9,676-person crowd was the sixth-highest attendance in program history.

Florida’s Talitha Diggs competes during the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark. / UAA Communications photo by Alex de la Osa

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida track and field hopes for same success with new recruits

By Namari Lock | Jan. 13, 2023

Florida Gators track and field won the women's indoor, women's outdoor and men's outdoor national championships last time it saw action. The Gators aim to continue their success in 2023.

Florida forward Colin Castleton celebrates during the Gators' victory over the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. He finished with 18 points in UF's victory over the Louisiana State Tigers Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators get to .500 in SEC play after victory over LSU

By Jackson Reyes | Jan. 10, 2023

The Gators (9-7, 2-2 SEC) defeated LSU (12-4, 1-3 SEC) 67-56 Tuesday night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Florida used the charity stripe to its advantage all night. It finished 24-32 from the free throw line, while the Tigers only managed 16 attempts. UF also outscored LSU 23-5 in points off of turnovers.

Florida forward Alex Fudge takes a jump shot in the Gators' victory over the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida targets .500 SEC record against Louisiana State

By Brandon Hernandez | Jan. 10, 2023

After defeating the Georgia Bulldogs at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Saturday, the Gators are traveling to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to face the Louisiana State Tigers. A win could move UF to .500 in conference play.

Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was listed on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot Monday, June 6, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow elected to the College Football Hall of Fame

By Topher Adams | Jan. 9, 2023

Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation announced Monday. Tebow is the 10th former Gators player to be enshrined.

Freshman Kayla DiCello performs her beam routine in a quad meet against the West Virginia Mountaineers, Ball State Cardinals and Lindenwood Lions Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnastics starts season with dominant victory

By Kyle Bumpers | Jan. 9, 2023

The Gators competed in a four-team meet against the West Virginia Mountaineers, the Ball State Cardinals and the Lindenwood Lions. They were playing at home, and they were the only ranked team competing. Florida came into the meet as the heavy favorite, and its performance reflected that.

Florida tennis freshmen Tanapatt Nirundorn and Togan Tokac share the court at the Gator Fall Invite Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. (Photo by Sydney Calle)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Tanapatt Nirundorn, Togan Tokac flourish as best friends, doubles partners

By Kyle Bumpers | Jan. 9, 2023

Tanapatt Nirundorn and Togan Tokac, known as T&T to Gators fans, both come from international backgrounds. The duo were the only two Gators to play every Fall doubles match with each other, and they were the only freshman pair to make the Intercollegiate Tennis Association top 10 by the end of the semester.

Graduate student guard Kyle Lofton celebrates after scoring and drawing a foul against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators start Southeastern Conference play with heartbreak, resolve

By Brandon Hernandez | Jan. 9, 2023

Florida Gators men's basketball began Southeastern Conference play with back-to-back one-possession losses. In a game against their former head coach Mike White and the Georgia Bulldogs, the Gators won their first SEC game.

Florida senior guard KK Deans scored 21 points in a loss against the Georgia Bulldogs Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls at home to Georgia after fourth-quarter flurry

By Topher Adams | Jan. 8, 2023

Florida (12-5, 1-3 SEC) fell at home to Georgia (13-5, 2-2 SEC) 82-7 Sunday afternoon after the Bulldogs outscored the Gators by 14 points in the fourth quarter. Deans led the way for Florida with 21 points, including five made 3-pointers.