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In a full forty-minute contest, Florida sent Alabama packing with a second-round win in the SEC Women’s Basketball tournament.

Once again, the Gators avenged a loss from earlier in the year and remain undefeated when holding opponents to 69 points or less this season.

Florida started the game with its foot on the gas. The Gator guards pushed the ball in transition, having no trouble finding a lane, however, they struggled to find the bottom of the net. Florida hit 5-of-20 shots from the field in the first. 

The birthday girl, Ra Shaya Kyle, found foul trouble with two early personals, opening the door for Me’Arah O’Neal. The freshman played six minutes in the opening quarter, grabbing five boards and knocking down a triple. 

“She was outstanding tonight. I think you guys can see what the future holds for Me’Arah,” said Florida Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley. “Me’Arah is extremely talented, she’s bought into her process and without her ability to compete for us tonight we wouldn’t have won that game.”

Back-to-back threes fell for the Crimson Tide late in the first, giving Alabama a 14-13 lead heading into the second. 

Florida’s defense continued to suffocate Alabama down low, resulting in a 7-1 Gator run to begin the quarter. 

Despite suffering what appeared to be an ankle injury at the end of the Auburn game, Liv McGill looked no worse for the wear, scoring 10 points in the first half and dishing out three dimes.

“I went straight back to the hotel, got some treatment and just prayed,” said McGill. “God took care of that and put his healing hands over me. There was no doubt in my mind about suiting up today.”

Eight straight points helped Florida secure a 30-26 lead at the half despite pushback from Aaliyah Nye and Sarah Ashlee Barker.

Barker and Nye continued the heroics after the half, scoring fifteen of the Crimson Tide’s seventeen third-quarter points.

The fourth was an absolute battle with McGill leading the way. The clutch playmaker scored 29 points, setting a new career high, with 11 coming in the final ten minutes. 

“Throughout the game, I felt pretty confident. Just staying connected and poised very poised, that’s what I try to do to keep my teammates calm,” said McGill.

After a lot of back-and-forth, Barker wouldn’t let her squad go down without a fight, hitting a massive triple with 40 seconds left, making the score 61-56, Florida still up. 

The Gators left points on the board with free throw troubles, bringing about another Barker bucket. The crucial make pulled Alabama within one point, 62-61. The senior guard totaled 24 points, making 9-of-17 shots from the field.

Shortly after, Laila Reynolds sunk 1-of-2 free throws, allowing the Crimson Tide the chance to win the game. Alabama missed its first 3-point attempt, but Florida fans held their breath when the Tide secured the offensive rebound.

Alabama placed the ball in their leading scorer’s hands, allowing her to take the final shot. After a nice drive into the lane, Barker was met with a swatting Reynolds. The sophomore didn’t let the missed free shots phase her and came up with the game-winning play. 

“I wanted to come up for my teammates on the defensive end because I wasn’t hitting the free throws. I know that my team has my back,” said Reynolds.

The Gators prevailed 63-61 after a grueling forty minutes, earning its first ranked win since 2022. This is the second straight year Finley’s squad advanced to the quarterfinals which hasn’t happened since 2014.

Florida is back in action Friday against LSU. This is the second matchup between the two squads this season. The Tigers beat the Gators at home earlier this year, 80-63. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET and can be viewed on SECN.