Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

The Florida lacrosse team celebrates Sammi Burgess' game-winning goal during UF's 12-11 win over Michigan on Saturday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Last second goal lifts Florida lacrosse over Michigan

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Feb. 13, 2016

Shayna Pirreca saved the day.

Delanie Gourley pitches during Florida's 14-10 loss to LSU on March 14, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida holds Illinois State scoreless in season opener

By Matt Brannon | Feb. 12, 2016

After winning back-to-back national championships, Florida entered the 2016 season hoping to pick up where it left off.

Bridget Sloan performs on the uneven parallel bars during Florida's win against Arkansas on Feb. 12, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators trounce Razorbacks at Link to Pink meet

By Alejandro López | Feb. 12, 2016

Heading into Friday’s meet, the Gators gymnastics team was at a crossroads.

Devin Robinson dunks during Florida's 87-83 win over Arkansas on Feb. 3, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida men's basketball hosts 'Bama on Saturday

By IAN COHEN | Feb. 11, 2016

The Florida basketball team has been nearly unbeatable at home this season.

UF coach Jenny Rowland fist-bumps with Alex McMurtry during Florida's win over Alabama on Jan. 29, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF gymnastics hoping to avoid losing streak against Arkansas

By Alejandro López | Feb. 11, 2016

Beginning at 6:45, tonight’s Link to Pink gymnastics meet will feature a dash of Razorback Red as No. 9 Arkansas readies to take on the No. 2 Gators in the O’Connell Center.

Bridgette Caquatto performs her floor routine during Florida's win over Alabama on Jan. 29, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Link to Pink meet holds special meaning for UF

By Alejandro López | Feb. 10, 2016

Athletics and activism go hand in hand.

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan, left, chats with Russell Westbrook in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, in Minneapolis. The Thunder won 126-123. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators in the NBA: Billy Donovan’s Thunder rank third in West

By GRAHAM HACK | Feb. 10, 2016

While the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs have dominated headlines in the Western Conference, Billy Donovan’s Oklahoma City Thunder are flying under the radar.

Devin Robinson looks to shoot during Florida's win against Ole Miss on Feb. 9, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida edges past Ole Miss despite sloppy performance

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Feb. 9, 2016

It wasn’t the prettiest showing Florida could have hoped for after a humbling loss to Kentucky on Saturday, but the Gators got it done against Ole Miss by making shots when it mattered.

Maria Torres tees off during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

UF women’s golf places third in tourney

By Alfredo Morales | Feb. 9, 2016

Consistency — especially in a three-day campaign — is an important factor for any sports team.

Eleanna Christinaki drives into the paint during Florida's 85-79 win over Kentucky on Jan. 31, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Newcomers making splash for UF women’s basketball

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 8, 2016

For a team loaded with veterans, Florida’s women’s basketball team has asked a lot of its newcomers.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

UF women’s golf sits in third place after second round of tourney

By Alfredo Morales | Feb. 8, 2016

Following UF’s decisive first-place victory at the Florida Challenge last week, the Gators have their eyes set on a larger prize.

Mollie Stevens (17) runs down the field during UF lacrosse's season-opening loss to UNC on Feb. 7, 2015 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators lacrosse opens season with win

By Kyle Brutman | Feb. 7, 2016

For just the third time in the program’s seven-year history, the No. 7 Florida lacrosse team came out of its regular-season opener with a win.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Freshmen pitchers impressing for UF baseball

By Luis Torres | Feb. 7, 2016

On a team as stacked as Florida's, there are two newcomers that have stood out during Fall practice: freshmen pitchers Brady Singer and Jackson Kowar.

Bridget Sloan performs on the balance beam during Florida's win against Alabama on Jan. 29, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

No. 2 Gators gymnastics lose to No. 11 Georgia, earn first loss of season

By Alejandro López | Feb. 7, 2016

After a harrowing loss at the hands of the No. 11 Georgia Bulldogs on Friday night, the No. 2 Florida gymnastics team needs to find out what follows in the aftermath of defeat.

UF’s Brianna Morgan serves during Florida’s win over USF on Jan. 27, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Brianna Morgan clinches match, Florida women's tennis sweeps USC

By Jake Dreilinger | Feb. 7, 2016

Leading 6-0, senior Brianna Morgan was up 6-5 in the third set of Florida’s final match. And after numerous rallies, Morgan hit one home, clinching the sweep for UF.

UF coach Mike Holloway smiles during the 2015 Florida Relays at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Three UF track and field athletes compete at the Virginia Tech Elite

By Lauren Staff | Feb. 5, 2016

The Gators only had three athletes representing during the first day of the Virginia Tech Elite Meet, but the small contingent found relative success on Friday.

UF coach Jim McElwain smiles in the huddle during practice on Dec. 4, 2015, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

National Signing Day: Live Blog

Feb. 3, 2016

Update 1:05 p.m. Four-star cornerback Kristian Fulton remains in his home state and officially commits to LSU. Fulton, the No. 6 ranked cornerback in the nation, was undecided until today between UF and LSU, but was thought to be leaning heavily toward the Tigers.

UF coach Jim McElwain laughs with players after practice on Dec. 4, 2015, prior to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Eight recruits to look out for on National Signing Day

Feb. 2, 2016

Finally, National Signing Day is here — the day where recruits across the country sign their national letters of intent to formally commit to the college of their choice. Here are eight recruits to watch out for as coach Jim McElwain rounds out his second recruiting class at Florida. All information regarding rankings comes from Rivals.com.

UF freshman catcher Mike Rivera throws the ball back to pitcher Logan Shore (not pictured) during Florida's 14-3 win against South Carolina on April 10, 2015 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: It’s championship or bust for UF baseball team

By Luis Torres | Feb. 1, 2016

This year has the makings of something special for the Florida baseball team.

Coach Jenny Rowland fist-bumps gymnast Alex McMurtry prior to McMurtry’s uneven parallel bars during Florida’s win against Alabama on Jan. 29, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF gymnastics team off to hot start, but yet to peak

By Alejandro López | Feb. 1, 2016

Timing is everything.