Sports | Women's Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Head coach Kelly Rae Finley coaches senior guard Aliyah Matharu during the Gators' 82-65 win against the UNF Ospreys on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators women’s basketball signs highest-rated recruit in program history

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 8, 2023

Florida women’s basketball secured the signing of Alivia “Liv” McGill Wednesday, officially making her the highest-ranked recruit in program history. The Florida men’s basketball team also landed the signing of a top recruit. Four-star guard Isaiah Brown signed with Todd Golden’s Gators Wednesday.

Senior guard Leilani Correa takes a jump shot in the Gators' 82-65 win against the North Florida Ospreys.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators use big second half to take down North Florida in season opener

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 6, 2023

The Florida Gators (1-0) took down the North Florida Ospreys (0-1) 82-65 in their season opener Monday in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The Gators continually found space down low and scored 54 points in the paint.

Florida guard Nina Rickards stands on the court during the Gators' 61-54 win over the Texas A&M Aggies Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida Guard Nina Rickards plans to enter transfer portal

By Austin Stirling | Apr. 4, 2023

Florida senior guard Nina Rickards announced on Twitter Tuesday morning that she plans to enter the transfer portal.

Florida guard Nina Rickards helps fellow UF guard KK Deans stand up during the Gators’ 90-79 loss to the Louisiana State Tigers Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Nina Rickards carries New York roots through Florida career

By Topher Adams | Apr. 3, 2023

Rickards capped off her fourth season with the Florida Gators March 27. She was one of two players on this past year’s team who spent all four years in Gainesville, and Rickards surpassed 1,000 career points.

Florida guard KK Deans stands on the court during the Gators' 61-54 win over the Texas A&M Aggies Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida guard KK Deans to enter Transfer Portal

By Topher Adams | Mar. 30, 2023

Florida senior guard KK Deans announced on Instagram Thursday that she will be entering the transfer portal after one season with the Gators.

Florida guard Leilani Correa plays defense in transition in the Gators' 61-54 win over the Texas A&M Aggies Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Second-half collapse leads to Florida’s blowout loss to Bowling Green

By Austin Stirling | Mar. 27, 2023

The Florida Gators (19-15, 5-11 SEC) fell to the Bowling Green Falcons (31-6, 14-4 MAC) 69-52 Monday night. The loss eliminated the Gators from the Women’s National Invitation Tournament and ended the team’s season.

Florida guard KK Deans takes a jump shot in the Gators' 90-79 loss to the Louisiana State Tigers Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida cruises to WNIT Great Eight behind hot shooting

By Topher Adams | Mar. 23, 2023

The Florida Gators (19-14, 5-11 SEC) cruised past the Clemson Tigers (19-16, 7-11 ACC) 72-58 Thursday night in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament Super 16.

Florida guard Nina Rickards dribbles the ball in the Gators' 90-79 loss to the Louisiana State Tigers Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida advances to WNIT Super 16 after blow-out win against Wake Forest

By Austin Stirling | Mar. 20, 2023

The Florida Gators (18-14, 5-11 SEC) defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (17-17, 5-13 ACC) 80-63 Monday night in the second round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. The Gators move on to the Super 16, while Wake Forest’s season comes to an end.

Florida guard Alberte Rimdal shoots the ball over a defender’s outstretched arm in the Gators' 90-79 loss to the Louisiana State Tigers Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

From international player to SEC starter: Alberte Rimdal finishes second season with Gators

By Austin Stirling | Mar. 20, 2023

The sophomore Gators guard is a 21-year-old Koge, Denmark, native, and she’s the first Danish recruit on the Florida Gators women’s basketball team. She frequently started during the 2022-2023 season. Rimdal grew up around the game of basketball and is now living out her dream — playing in the SEC.

Florida guard Nina Rickards drives toward the basket in the Gators' loss to the Louisiana State Tigers Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators fall in SEC Tournament opener after first-half brawl

By Austin Stirling | Mar. 1, 2023

The Florida Gators (16-14, 5-12 SEC) fell to the Kentucky Wildcats (11-18, 3-14 SEC) 68-54 in the opening round of the SEC tournament. The Gators shot just 30% from the field in the game.

Florida guard Leilani Correa shoots the ball in the Gators' 61-54 win against the Texas A&M Aggies Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida wins regular season finale behind Correa’s career day

By Topher Adams | Feb. 26, 2023

The shot capped off a career day for Correa and helped the Gators secure a victory in their regular-season finale. The Florida Gators (16-13, 5-11 SEC) defeated the Missouri Tigers (17-12, 6-10 SEC) 61-52 Sunday afternoon. UF shot just 31% from the field but forced 14 turnovers and held the Tigers to 34% from the field to win the game.

Florida guard KK Deans celebrates during the Gators' 90-79 loss to the Louisiana State Tigers Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida holds on to win nail-biter against Alabama on senior night

By Austin Stirling | Feb. 23, 2023

The Florida Gators (15-13, 4-11 SEC) defeated Alabama (20-8, 9-6 SEC) 81-77 Thursday night in their final home game of the 2023 season. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Gators.

Florida guard KK Deans takes a shot in the Gators' 90-79 loss to the Louisiana State Tigers Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. Deans matched her career-high of 30 points and added five assists.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls to LSU despite scorching start

By Austin Stirling | Feb. 19, 2023

The Florida Gators (14-13, 3-11 SEC) fell to the No. 5 LSU Tigers (25-1, 13-1 SEC) 90-79 Sunday, dropping their fifth-straight game.

Florida guard Nina Rickards drives to the basket in the Gators' 61-54 win against the Texas A&M Aggies Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida crushed on road by No. 1 South Carolina

By Topher Adams | Feb. 16, 2023

The Florida Gators (14-12, 3-10 SEC) fell to the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks (26-0, 12-0 SEC) 87-56 Thursday night. The Gamecocks outrebounded UF 55-27 in the dominant victory. Three Florida forwards fouled out of the game as it battled against South Carolina’s size inside.

Florida guard Leilani Correa handles the ball in the Gators' 61-54 win against the Texas A&M Aggies Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida fall on home floor again against Mississippi State

By Topher Adams | Feb. 9, 2023

The Florida Gators (14-10, 3-8 SEC) lost to the Mississippi State Bulldogs (17-7, 6-5 SEC) 73-56 Thursday night in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Florida shot just 19-59 from the field and lost the rebounding battle 46-31.

Florida guard KK Deans handles the ball in the Gators' 61-54 win against the Texas A&M Aggies Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida blown out in road game at Ole Miss

By Topher Adams | Feb. 5, 2023

The Florida Gators (14-9, 3-7 SEC) fell to the Ole Miss Rebels (19-5, 8-3 SEC) 68-42 Sunday. Ole Miss outscored Florida by 16 points in the second half. UF was outrebounded by 14 for the game.

Florida center Ra Shaya Kyle contests a Texas A&M shot in the Gators' 61-54 victory against the Aggies. Kyle had a career-high 17 rebounds in the win.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida takes down Texas A&M behind strong defensive performance

By Austin Stirling | Feb. 2, 2023

The Florida Gators (14-8, 3-6 SEC) defeated the Texas A&M Aggies (6-14, 1-9 SEC) 61-54 to complete the season sweep of the Aggies.

Florida guard Leilani Correa brings the ball down the court in the Gators' 83-55 victory against the Florida A&M Rattlers Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida flounders against Auburn in double-digit defeat

By Jackson Reyes | Jan. 30, 2023

The Florida Gators (13-8, 2-6 SEC) were defeated by the Tigers (13-8, 3-6 SEC) 66-55 on the road Monday night. The Gators finished 26.9% from the field and 45.5% from deep.

Florida guard Nina Rickards sizes up a Georgia defender in the Gators' 82-77 loss to the Bulldogs Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida catches break amid SEC struggles

By Austin Stirling | Jan. 23, 2023

The Gators are in the midst of their lowest point of the season. Florida dropped four out of its last five games, all against Southeastern Conference opponents.

Florida junior guard Nina Rickards holds the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida cruises past Vanderbilt to end four-game skid

By Topher Adams | Jan. 22, 2023

The Florida Gators (13-7, 2-5 SEC) defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores (9-12, 0-7 SEC) 73-55 to snap a four-game conference losing streak. UF outscored Vanderbilt 48-24 in the paint and finished with seven more rebounds than the Commodores.