Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Gordon Watson serves during Florida's 9-3 win against William & Mary.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gordon Watson leads charge for UF men’s tennis

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 22, 2015

Gordon Watson is deep in thought.

Bridgette Owens competes during the Tom Jones Memorial Invite on April 19 at the Percy Beard Track. Owens, who clocked a 12.80-second 100-meter hurdles on Saturday, was one of 25 UF athletes to advance to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Bridgette Owens plans to lower hurdles times

By Kyle Brutman | Jan. 21, 2015

Two weekends ago, senior hurdler Bridgette Owens took the 60-meter hurdle at the UAB Blazer Invitational by the horns and shattered the event record for both the meet and UF’s program history.

Alex Murphy attempts a layup during Florida's win against Auburn on Thursday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Alex Murphy, UF men’s basketball look to stop the bleeding

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 21, 2015

Alex Murphy played through bloodshed on Tuesday night.

Rachel Spicer performs a balance beam routine during Florida's win against Auburn on Friday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators gymnastics focusing on team approach early in season

By GRAHAM HACK | Jan. 21, 2015

Gymnastics may be based on individual performances, but Florida coach Rhonda Faehn wants her team to continue to embrace the team concept.

Maria Torres hits the ball during the SunTrust Gator Women's Golf Invitational on March 15.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Maria Torres developing in second year

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 21, 2015

Maria Torres found success as a freshman.

UF athletics director Jeremy Foley speaks during new head football coach Jim McElwain's opening press conference on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida details new indoor practice facility

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Jan. 21, 2015

The Florida football program will soon have its crown jewel facility.

Savannah Jordan dribbles the ball during Florida's 3-2 win against Texas Tech.

SPORTS | SOCCER

UF soccer embracing opportunity to play against FC Bayern

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 20, 2015

It was only back on Nov. 28 that Florida soccer’s Fall season came to an end with a loss in penalty kicks to Stanford in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals.

Billy Donovan looks down the court during Florida's 72-47 win against Mississippi State on Jan. 10 in the O'Connell Center. Florida dropped its first SEC home game when on Tuesday, losing 79-61 to LSU.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls to LSU at home, loses second straight SEC game

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 20, 2015

Freshman forward Devin Robinson awoke Florida’s hometown crowd with an alley-oop off an assist from Kasey Hill, which followed a steal in the paint from Michael Frazier II.

Houston Rockets guard Corey Brewer (33) dunks the ball during the first half Houston's 110-98 win against the Indiana Pacers on Jan 19.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators in the NBA: Corey Brewer making most of opportunity with Rockets

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 20, 2015

Corey Brewer is enjoying the change of scenery – and the chance to compete for another NBA championship.

Sophomore Ronni Williams drives down the lane during Florida's 77-42 loss to No. 1 South Carolina on Monday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida thrashed by No. 1 South Carolina, season woes continue

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 19, 2015

The losses keep mounting for the Gators women’s basketball team, and there doesn’t seem to be a clear solution to correct the problems that have hindered the team.

UF sophomore center Chris Walker dribbles during Florida's 75-55 win against Auburn on Thursday in the O'Connel Center.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Johnson’s Journal: Chris Walker showing flashes of potential, has time to develop

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Jan. 19, 2015

"Nothing haunts us like promise unfulfilled." Simple, poignant and powerful words spoken by Michael Wilbon in the ESPN 30for30 "Benji."

Redshirt freshman Oliver Landert hits a jump-step forehand during Florida's 9-3 win against William & Mary on Jan. 10 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Landert not ready to stop as UF men’s tennis season progresses

By CAYLEE UNDERWOOD | Jan. 19, 2015

Oliver Landert stepped up on Friday.

Dorian Finney-Smith passes the ball during Florida's 75-55 win against Auburn on Thursday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Inconsistent UF men’s basketball hosts LSU

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 19, 2015

Four games into conference play, one would expect to see some consistency from a team that’s already played through some growing pains in a 13-game non-conference schedule.

Havana Solaun kicks the ball during Florida's 3-2 win against Texas Tech at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Former UF soccer player drafted in National Women’s Soccer League

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 19, 2015

Well, she’s not in Gainesville any more. In fact, she’s headed about as far away as she possibly can while playing professional soccer in the United States.

Kytra Hunter performs her floor exercise during Florida's 197.200-195.650 win against Auburn on Jan. 16 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Kytra Hunter not satisfied with performance against Auburn

By GRAHAM HACK | Jan. 19, 2015

Perfection is hard to come by in gymnastics.

Antoinette Bannister looks to pass the ball during Florida's 84-73 win against Jacksonville in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

InstaGraham: Antoinette Bannister threw basketball career away

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 19, 2015

Antoinette Bannister threw away an opportunity that many people would kill to have.

Jacob Kurtz dribbles the ball during Florida’s 85-47 win against Yale in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls to Georgia, sees SEC streak snapped

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 17, 2015

The Gators battled through a game of catch-up on Saturday in Athens but Florida (10-7, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) couldn’t quite manage to catch-up to Georgia (11-5, 2-2 SEC). The Gators fell to the Bulldogs 73-61 at Stegeman Coliseum.

Antoinette Bannister attempts a jump shot during Florida's season-opening win against Jacksonville.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF women's basketball player Antoinette Bannister arrested

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 17, 2015

A University of Florida women’s basketball player was arrested Friday afternoon on allegations she stole the credit card of a teammate and used it at multiple stores, according to a University Police Department arrest report.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF men's tennis downs Troy

By CAYLEE UNDERWOOD | Jan. 17, 2015

The No. 13 Florida men’s tennis team put another tally on their win streak after defeating Troy University 5-2 on Friday afternoon.

Freshman Alex McMurtry competes on the uneven parallel bars during Florida's win against Auburn on Friday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

McMurtry vaults to perfection as UF defeats Auburn

By GRAHAM HACK | Jan. 16, 2015

Led by a breakout performance from freshman Alex McMurtry, No. 3 Florida (2-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) defeated No. 21 Auburn (1-1, 0-1 SEC) in the Gators’ home opener Friday night, 197.200-195.650.