INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—Florida faced a challenging Minnesota team on Monday evening, falling 66-52 in the 2025 WBIT semifinals. The matchup was played inside the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse and marked UF’s first postseason semifinal appearance since 2013.
 
The matchup proved to be a battle as the Gators and Gophers exchanged several lead changes in the first half. However, Minnesota went on a second quarter surge to take and hold the advantage for the remainder of play. In the second half, Florida cut Minnesota’s lead down to as little as eight, but getting past the Gophers’ defense was a tall task.
 
Overall, Florida was led in scoring by freshman Liv McGill for the twentieth time this season. McGill posted 18 points against her hometown team and tallied her 33^rd game in double figures. With the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, McGill officially owns the record for most points scored by a freshman in a single season. McGill totaled 611 points to surpass Quientella Bonner by over 100. Bonner held the record with 489 points from 1977 to 2025. 

FLORIDA’S S 2025 POSTSEASON:

• UF advanced to the WBIT semifinals for the first time in program history
• Florida appeared in its first postseason semifinal since 2013
• The Gators went 5-2 in postseason play for 2025
• UF now holds an all-time record of 3-2 in the WBIT
• The Gators finish the season with a winning record for the first time since 2022-23
• Coach Finley recorded her first postseason quarterfinals win as head coach

HOW IT HAPPENED:
IN THE FIRST:

• McGill hit a three-ball opening UF’s scoring column in the first 20 seconds of play (3-0)
• Minnesota took its first lead of the game at 6-5 (7:23)
• UF regained the lead with a turnaround jumper from Gassett 9-8 (5:13)
• The score was knotted at 13-13 for upwards of two minutes (3:36-1:21)
• Florida forced seven turnovers on the Gophers and were held to four
• Reynolds led the Gators on defense with three of UF’s six rebounds
• The Gators had a total 19 possessions to convert for 15 points
• McGill led UF in scoring with seven points, shooting 3-7 from the field  
• Minnesota held the advantage at 16-15 to end the first period  

IN THE SECOND:

• The Gators trailed for the first three minutes of the quarter
• Florida went on a 9-2 run to regain the lead at 24-23 (6:17)
• McGill led all in scoring with 11 points (5-9 FG)
• Eight of UF’s 14 points were tallied inside the paint
• The Gators and Gophers were even on the boards with 10 rebounds each
• UF shot a first half low of 33.3 percent from the field to post 14 points
• Minnesota went on a 12-0 run to hold an 11-point lead in the final minute of the half (35-24)
• The score stood in favor of UM at 37-29 at half

 
IN THE THIRD:

• Reynolds led UF in scoring with five points, going 2-4 from the field and 1-1 from the three
• Florida had five players posting two points or more
• UF outrebounded UM for the first time of the contest (9-7)
• The Gators distributed four assists—tying their game high from Q1
• Florida was outscored by the Gophers 15-11
• Florida trailed by 12 points at the conclusion of the third (52-40)

 
IN THE FOURTH:

• Me’Arah O’Neal posted six points in the first five minutes of the quarter
• UF had a game low 12 points
• Florida was led by Kyle on the boards with three of UF’s six rebounds
• The Gators distributed another four assists
• Gassett snagged Florida’s only steal of the period
• Florida shot 35.7 percent from the field
• O’Neal banked UF’s only three pointer of the quarter
• UF was outscored 14-12

 
WORTH NOTING:

• UF had two players in double figures for scoring

  • McGill (18) and Reynolds (11)

• McGill has hit double figures in 33 of her 37 outings as a Gator

  • 14 of those games have been 20+ point performances 

• The Gators were outscored by Minnesota in all four quarters
• 20 of Florida’s points were tallied in the paint
• In total UF went 6-6 (100%) from the charity stripe 

  • This marks UF’s season high for free throw percentage

• Florida forced 15 turnovers on Minnesota to convert for eight points
• 10 of UF’s points were credited to the bench
• UF made 8 of their 19 layup attempts
• Four Gators brought in three or more rebounds
• The Gators were out-rebounded by the Gophers 37-31
• McGill led in rebounds with nine

  • McGill has led on the boards for a combined four outings this season

• Kyle concludes her 2024-25 season with 16 double-doubles
• Florida distributed a combined 14 assists

  • Salgues led in distribution with four
  • This marks Salgues’ second time this season leading in ball distribution

• The Gators have secured 20+ points in 61 of 150 quarters played this season
• Florida recorded a game total 67 possessions, converting for .78 points per possession
• In total UF only led over Minnesota for 4 minutes and 56 seconds
• Florida’s 52 points marks their third lowest scoring game of the season

  • Lowest scoring game of the season was 46 points at Texas (3/2/25)

• UF is now 2-5 in neutral territory for the season

CAREER HIGHS:

 
TEAM RECORDS:

Florida: 19-18, (6-12 SEC)
Minnesota: 24-11, (8-10 BIG 10)

SERIES RECORD:

The series between the Gators and Golden Gophers now stands at 1-0 in favor of Minnesota.

GATOR BITES:

Coach Susie Gardner and her overall thoughts:

“First of all, we are really proud of our season and the way we finished the season, and our young players that are sitting up here. A lot of credit to Minnesota. They played great defense. Their defense was better than our offense tonight. But I think we set a foundation.”

 

Freshman Liv McGill on her takeaways from the season:

“Some things I would take away is just be where your feet are, one game at a time. I learned that the games early in the season are just as important at the end of the season. I will not take that for granted again being a freshman. I will know and have experience now under my best, and I will not make that mistake again.”

 

Sophomore Laila Reynolds on her time playing in the WBIT:

“It was just a great opportunity just to be playing in this tournament and in March. No matter what it was, no matter the outcome, I’m just happy to be able to compete with my teammates.”

FLORIDA’S POSTSEASON BREAKDOWN:

Date	Opponent	Tournament	Result
3/5/25	Auburn	SEC	W, 60-50
3/6/25	Alabama	SEC	W, 63-61
3/7/25	LSU	SEC Quarterfinals	L, 101-87
3/20/25	Northern Iowa	WBIT	W, 83-71
3/23/25	UNLV	WBIT	W, 86-84
3/27/25	Texas Tech	WBIT Quarterfinals	W, 67-63
3/31/25	Minnesota	WBIT Semifinals	L, 66-52

 
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