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Florida fought for a 60-50 win against Auburn in the first round of the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament Wednesday night. 

The Gators avenged a 20-point loss to the Tigers earlier this season with increased physicality and clutch playmaking in the final minutes.

The energy began in pregame warmups for Florida and effortlessly continued into the first quarter. 

“We are really close-knit on and off the court. That’s nothing new. You just saw it [the team’s energy] more today,” said Ra Shaya Kyle. 

After the Tigers began the scoring, the Gators went on a 6-0 run. Florida capitalized with cuts to the basket and effective ball movement.

Four of Florida’s starters scored in the first, with Kyle paving the way on the glass—the senior secured four boards early on, leading to free throws, where she was a perfect 4-for-4. 

Kyle was the leading scorer for the Gators with 16 points and 11 boards, tallying her 14th double-double this season.

Florida led after one, 19-16.

The second quarter began with a three-minute scoring drought. Alexia Dizeko ended the dry spell with her first points of the game. 

Yuting Deng and DeYona Gaston ran the offense for Auburn, combining for 18 of the Tiger’s 25 first-half points. 

Although the duo had solid performances heading into halftime, the buckets didn’t come easy. Florida hosted a block party in the paint, with six rejections from four different players. Entering Wednesday, the Gators only averaged 3.7 stuffs a game. 

The block squad led 27-25 at the halfway point.

The second half was filled with momentum swings.

The Tigers tied the game at 36 with 4:06 left in the third, however, Florida closed out the quarter on a 6-0 run, holding Auburn scoreless for the final two minutes. 

The Gators led 44-40 heading into the final 10. 

Jeriah Warren found success attacking the rim, totaling 14 points on the night, with eight in the final half.

Florida’s offense slowed, allowing Auburn to pull back within two, 50-48 with 2:25 to go. 

Both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net in the fourth, shooting under 30% from the field.

Reynolds came in clutch knocking down both of her free throws shortly after, giving the Gators a four-point lead. 

The SEC All-Freshman Team award winner iced the game with an and-1 after grabbing an offensive board from her miss. Liv McGill writhed in pain after the score, favoring her left foot/ankle area. Fighting through the pain, the true competitor sunk the free throw giving her teammates what they needed to finish strong.

“That’s exactly who she [McGill] is,” said Florida Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. She sets the tone for us for sure.”

The Gators continue its revenge tour Thursday against Alabama. The Crimson Tide visited Gainesville in early February, coming away with an 84-66 victory after an Aaliyah Nye master class.

Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. and will be streamed on SECN.