Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Ronald Powell recovers after a play against Miami on Sept. 7, 2013, at Sun Life Stadium. Powell announced that he would forego his final year of eligibility. The redshirt junior recorded 26 tackles and four sacks this season.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Buck linebacker to enter NFL Draft

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Jan. 6, 2014

A depleted Gators defense took another hit on Monday.

Casey Prather drives down the lane during Florida’s 110-88 win against Florida Southern on Nov. 1, 2013, in the O’Connell Center. Prather has averaged a team-best 17.3 points per game this season.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators establishing lineup before SEC play

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Jan. 6, 2014

When Florida started the season ranked No. 10 in the nation, freshman Kasey Hill started at point guard over a suspended Scottie Wilbekin. Dorian Finney-Smith was working his way to play with the team, and Damontre Harris was hoping to just stay on it.

Despite not leading for the entire game, the Gators overcame a 16-point halftime deficit to shock the Hoyas. After tying the game at 58 at the end of regulation, Florida quickly took its first lead of the game on a three-point-play by senior Jaterra Bonds.With the UF lead down to 66-65, Bonds, who scored a career-high 26 points in the game, drove hard to the basket and completed one of two fouls to cement the Gators 67-75 comeback victory.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF riding hot streak after defeating UK

By GORDON STREISAND< | Jan. 6, 2014

The last time the Gators lost a game, people’s refrigerators were still full of leftover turkey and pumpkin pie.

Kiersten Wang performs on the uneven bars during Florida’s win against Kentucky on Feb 22, 2013.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Lingering injuries ail Gators gymnasts

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 6, 2014

Gymnastics season has not even started, but some Gators are already sidelined.

Florida swimmers line up to begin the men’s open 400-meter individual medley during the Pinch A Penny All Florida Invitational on Sept. 28 in the O’Connell Center.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF looks to improve after early-season victory against FSU

By Logan McGuire | Jan. 6, 2014

Florida’s win against Florida State on Saturday was a solid start to the spring season, but coach Gregg Troy is already looking toward the Southeastern Conference and NCAA meets.

Riley Cooper celebrates after catching a 63-yard touchdown pass during the Philadelphia Eagles’ 49-20 victory against the Oakland Raiders on Nov. 3.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Eagles’ Cooper catches TD pass

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 6, 2014

With the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs in the books, here are a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams this weekend.

Tyler Murphy heads to the field before playing LSU at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., on Oct. 12, 2013. Murphy announced he was transferring from Florida on Dec. 15. 2013, after starting six games for the Gators during a 4-8 season.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Players leave UF after disappointing season

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Jan. 5, 2014

Florida lost several players to transfer and the NFL Draft following its season-ending loss to Florida State on Nov. 30.

Ronni Williams attempts a shot during Florida’s 88-77 win against North Florida on Nov. 10 in the O’Connell Center. Williams scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against No. 6 Kentucky on Sunday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Freshman sparks Florida to upset win against No. 6 Kentucky

By GORDON STREISAND< | Jan. 5, 2014

For the first time in Amanda Butler’s tenure as Florida’s coach, the Gators tamed the No. 6 Wildcats in Kentucky, defeating them 83-73 on Sunday on the back of a 30-11 run in the game’s final 12 minutes.

Scottie Wilbekin faces off against Kansas point guard Frank Mason (0)during the Gators' 67-61 win against the Jayhawks Dec. 10, 2013 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Wilbekin bounces back from slow start against Richmond

By LANDON WATNICK< | Jan. 5, 2014

Following a stagnant showing offensively from his team in the first half against Richmond, Billy Donovan approached a struggling Scottie Wilbekin in the locker room.

Defensive end Gerald Willis III, a New Orleans native, Gator chomps after picking Florida over LSU at the Under Armour All-America Game on Thursday in St. Petersburg.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

UF lands Willis, misses Adams at Under Armour All-America Game

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Jan. 5, 2014

ST. PETERSBURG — The 2014 Under Armour All-America Game on Thursday afternoon put the most highly touted recruits from across the country together on one field.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Spring sports look to salvage 2013-14

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Jan. 5, 2014

Gainesville, it’s cold outside.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gators' swimming kicks off 2014 against rival Seminoles

By Logan McGuire | Jan. 3, 2014

Today the O’Connell Center will host the 77th men’s and 43rd women’s dual meets between the Gators and Seminoles swimming and diving teams at 1 p.m.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida extends winning streak with SEC-opening victory

By GORDON STREISAND< | Jan. 3, 2014

On Thursday night in the O’Connell Center, Florida cruised to victory in its first conference game of the season, beating Mississippi State 82-72.

Senior center Patric Young exits the game Sunday night against Savannah State after eclipsing 1,000 career points in the second half. Young became the 50th Gators player to reach the milestone.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Young reaches milestone in rout over Savannah State

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Dec. 29, 2013

Patric Young stood at the free throw line with 9:44 left in the second half with 999 career points. With No. 13 Florida already up 61-24 against Savannah State, the most suspenseful part of Sunday afternoon’s game was whether Young would become the 50th Gator to score 1,000 career points.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Bonds leads Gators' comeback with career-best performance

By GORDON STREISAND< | Dec. 28, 2013

When Florida was down, senior Jaterra Bonds stepped up.

Senior Patric Young comes down with a rebound over Memphis' Joe Jackson in Florida's 77-75 victory on Dec. 17. The Gators center finished with eight points and eight rebounds.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida escapes for second straight top-25 win

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Dec. 17, 2013

More than two weeks ago against FSU, Dorian Finney-Smith stood at the line with 1.3 seconds remaining with a chance to win the game for the Gators. Patric Young leaned in to give his teammate words of encouragement, which were enough for Finney-Smith to sink his final free throw.

Sophomore Kayla Lewis shoots during Florida’s 68-57 loss to Vanderbilt on Feb. 21 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida's defense stifles St. Francis en route to victory

By GORDON STREISAND< | Dec. 17, 2013

For the first time in three weeks, Florida returned to action at home in the O’Connell Center.

Technical problems have forced the abandonment of efforts to construct an ice rink downtown on Bo Diddley Plaza. The white tarp pitched above the plaza's grassy pit was the only remnant from the rink Sunday afternoon.

METRO

Gainesville not pursuing downtown ice skating rink this year

By Alexandra Hershorn | Nov. 25, 2013

Bo Diddley Community Plaza will remain thawed-out for at least the sixth consecutive year.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Rugby team asks for funding to compete at national championship

By Eric Bandin | Nov. 17, 2013

Rugby players at UF are ready to take on the defending national champions, but their wallets say otherwise.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Despite Alabama decision, no worries for block seating at UF

By Steven Katona | Nov. 4, 2013

Students who get their football tickets in block seating at UF can breathe a little easier. Privileges will not be taken away for leaving a football game early.