Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

J.D. Tomlinson tees off during Day 2 of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 16 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Coach returning to alma mater for tournament

By LAYNE WEITZEL< | Mar. 13, 2014

In a way, Buddy Alexander is returning home again.

Claire Boyce competes on the balance beam during UF’s win against LSU on Feb. 21 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Boyce, Sloan hope to perform well in front of families

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Mar. 13, 2014

For tonight’s meet, the Gators travel to Columbia, Mo., for the first time since the Tigers joined the Southeastern Conference in 2012.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators open only home tournament of season

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Mar. 13, 2014

The Gators’ only home tournament of the season begins Friday morning with No. 16 UF hosting 14 teams at the 42nd annual SunTrust Gator Women’s Golf Invitational.

Casey Turgeon swings during Florida’s 4-0 win against Maryland on Feb. 14 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Turgeon’s grand slam caps Florida rally against Illinois State

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 12, 2014

The Gators erased any doubt they would have to play their fourth straight extra-inning game in a big way Wednesday night.

Sammi Burgess runs toward the net during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

No. 4 UF uses hot offensive start to handle Winthrop

By EDEN OTERO | Mar. 12, 2014

Beating a team 17-3 in the first half is not winning — it’s complete dominance.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

UF divers fail to qualify for NCAAs

By Logan McGuire | Mar. 12, 2014

There will be no divers representing the Gators at this year’s swimming and diving NCAA Championships.

Scottie Wilbekin drives down the court during Florida’s 84-65 win against Kentucky on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators rack up SEC awards after perfect league slate

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 11, 2014

The Gators finished their best regular season in school history on Saturday, and on Tuesday, they received the hardware to prove it.

Shannon Gilroy fights for the ball during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Gilroy leads the Gators with 35 goals this season.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

No. 4 Florida gearing for matchup against No. 3 Syracuse

By EDEN OTERO | Mar. 11, 2014

No. 4 Florida is moving on up.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida to host 13 teams at only home event of season

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Mar. 11, 2014

Following its best performance of the season two weeks ago at the 2014 Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate Championship, No. 17 Florida looks to continue its success at its only home tournament of the season.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

UF fails to qualify divers for NCAA Championships

By Logan McGuire | Mar. 11, 2014

Day 2 of the NCAA Zone “B” Diving Regional Championships wrapped up with two divers in the finals for the Gators, but neither qualified for the national championships being held later this month.

Justin Shafer bats during Florida’s 4-0 win against Maryland on Feb. 14 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Slumping Gators unlucky during non-conference schedule

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 10, 2014

Several of the Gators’ key offensive veterans have gotten off to slow starts in the 2014 campaign.

Lauren Haeger swings during Florida’s 2-0 win against Ole Miss on March 9 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida offense responds to first loss with hitting bonanza

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 10, 2014

After No. 1 Florida lost its Southeastern Conference opener on Friday against Ole Miss and had its 22-game winning streak snapped, coach Tim Walton wasn’t sure how the team was going to respond.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Holloway, runners honored following SEC Indoor Championships

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Mar. 10, 2014

After his women’s squad captured a Southeastern Conference Indoor title and the men’s team finished second, coach Mike Holloway’s track teams will head to the NCAA Indoor Championships on a high note.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

UF struggles at diving meet

By Logan McGuire | Mar. 10, 2014

The Gators had mixed results on Day 1 of the NCAA Zone Diving Regional Championships on Monday.

Scottie Wilbekin cuts down the net after Florida’s 84-65 win against Kentucky on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators tear down nets after perfect conference season

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 9, 2014

On Feb. 21, 2007, the Gators cut down the nets in the O’Connell Center to celebrate their Southeastern Conference title despite having three more regular season games on the schedule.

Cassie Peoples drives to the net during Florida’s loss to Missouri on Feb. 20 in the O’Connell Center. Peoples averaged 8.9 points per game at the SEC Tournament.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls to Kentucky in conference tournament

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 9, 2014

After two games in as many days, fifth-seeded Florida was bounced from the Southeastern Conference Tournament by No. 12 Kentucky on Friday following a strong showing against Mississippi State on Thursday.

Gordon Watson returns a ball during Florida’s 5-2 win against North Florida on Jan. 22 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Sophomore clinches comeback win against Gamecocks

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Mar. 9, 2014

Sophomore Gordon Watson showcased his skills Sunday when he defeated No. 55 ranked Tsvetan Mihov in three sets to clinch Florida’s 4-2 win against South Carolina at the Ring Tennis Complex on Sunday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Florida looks to qualify divers for NCAA Championships

By Logan McGuire | Mar. 9, 2014

Diving hasn’t been one of the strengths for Florida’s No.1 men’s (8-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) or No. 8 women’s (5-3, 3-2 SEC) swimming and diving teams in recent years.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida exacts revenge for first loss of season

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 8, 2014

After being shutout by Ole Miss to open up Southeastern Conference play on Friday, Florida evened the series Saturday.

Scottie Wilbekin, Casey Prather, Patric Young and Will Yeguete huddle together after Florida’s 84-65 win against Kentucky on Saturday in the O’Connell Center. The Gators are the first team to finish their Southeastern Conference regular-season schedule 18-0.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida defeats Kentucky to close out perfect SEC season

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 8, 2014

After No. 1 Florida sealed an 84-65 win against No. 25 Kentucky in the O’Connell Center on Saturday, senior forward Will Yeguete hoisted a sign that read “18-0 and more to go.”