GAINESVILLE, Fla. —For the second time in as many games, the Florida Women’s Basketball Team (12-5, 0-2) had a nationally-ranked opponent on its collective heals, but No. 3 South Carolina (15-1, 2-0) managed to eke out the 74-63 win Sunday afternoon. Freshman Emilija Dakic scored a career-high 10 points for the Gators, while Liv McGill netted a game-high 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds and picked up three steals. It was the second highest home attendance for the Gators (6,006) since the Stephen C. O’Connell Center was renovated in April of 2016.

KEY RUNS

1st Quarter (Gamecocks 21, Gators 19)


Florida scored the first basket of the game on a Liv McGill fast-break layup, but South Carolina meticulously built a 21-12 lead with 1:35 to go. The Gators rallied to close the period on a 7-0 run. Florida’s defense kept the Gamecocks in check early forcing South Carolina to miss seven of its first 10 shots, and 14 of 21 in the period. The Gamecocks also committed eight turnovers—more than half the team’s season average of 11.3 miscues per game. However, South Carolina took nine more shots than the Gators in the quarter thanks to a 9-1 advantage in offensive rebounds. The Gamecocks also forced Florida into committing eight turnovers.

2nd Quarter (Gamecocks 37, Gators 31)


The Gators scored six of the first seven points in the second, taking a 25-22 lead on a Emilija Dakic’ three pointer with 6:18 to go before intermission. It was still a three-point Florida advantage, 27-24 with 5:01 remaining, but the Gamecocks closed the half on a 13-4 run. South Carolina went six for 10 from the charity stripe, while Florida didn’t attempt a single free throw in the quarter.

3rd Quarter (Gamecocks 53, Gators 46)


South Carolina’s lead vaccinated between two and six points until the Gamecocks went on a 9-0 run in the back half of the third to lead by 11, 50-39. Florida scored the final four points of the period to reduce the South Carolina advantage back into single digits. Both team’s defenses were locked in as the Gamecocks shot five for 18 in the third, and the Gators made six of 19.

4th Quarter (Gamecocks 74, Gators 63)


Despite forcing seven turnovers in the fourth, Florida was never able to get closer than five points in the final stanza, as South Carolina pulled away late at the free throw line. The Gamecocks went seven for 16 from the field in the quarter, and outrebounded the Gators 19-5.

KEY STATS


The Gamecocks outrebounded Florida 59-36, including 26-12 on the offensive glass, leading to a 20-9 advantage in second chance points.
South Carolina went 21 for 31 from the free throw line, while Florida made 15 of 17 from the charity stripe.
The Gamecocks made 34.3% of their field goal attempts (24-70), while the Gators made 33.8% of theirs (22-65). It was South Carolina’s lowest field goal percentage of the season, as they came into the game boasting the second highest field goal percentage in the nation (.540). Their previous low was 40.8% vs. Southern California on Nov. 15.
The Gators outscored South Carolina 16-7 in fast break points.
The Gamecocks committed a season-high 21 turnovers, while Florida was tagged with 20 miscues.

FROM THE GATORS’ MOUTHS 


Coach Finley on Dakic’s career high performance…

“Mills has earned the opportunity. When we watch film back, she really makes very limited errors, if any errors at all on the court. She’s steady, she’s consistent, she’s bought in, she knows what is expected of her and she believes that her role is important. I would say that about our team, I think that Mills mental transitions separate her and make us better on both ends of the floor. I thought she played a good game tonight, although I know we wanted to come out on the other end with a  victory.”


Coach Finley on how the Florida defense was able to speed up South Carolina’s game…

“Liv sets the tone for us defensively with guarding the ball. I thought this was her best defensive game by far of the season, probably our best full complete game of the season on both sides of the ball, as well as controlling the tempo and what we’re doing. Defensively, I thought we were really bought in and locked into the game plan, we played tendencies very, very well. We understood the assignment of keeping them out of the paint, forcing long shots, forcing long contested two’s. We forced them into 21 three-pointers, I think that might be a season high for them in turns of attempts. We held them 10 points below their average on their paint touches, so South Carolina is a very disciplined team, they’re determined to get what they want and I thought we did a good job of keeping them out of that rhythm.”


Emilija Dakic on her career high performance…

“I feel pretty good. I think as a team, Coach Kelly believes in me and so does all the team. So I think it’s the belief and the trust that my teammates and my coach have in me to be able to do that. I wouldn’t be able to do that without them.”


Liv McGill on what they have learned about the team after facing two top-25 teams to start SEC play…

“SEC is the best conference to play in. It’s very tough, it’s a dog fight every night and we’re right there so, that’s what I learned and that’s what I know.”

Post Game Press Conference: Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley, Emilija Dakic, and Liv McGill

GATOR BITES


The Gators are now 20-26 all-time against South Carolina.
Liv McGill scored in double figures for the 18th straight game (18 points).
Emilija Dakic scored a career-high 10 points (previous, five vs. West Georgia, Dec. 14, 2015)
Florida held Joyce Edwards to 11 points—10.7 below her season average of 21.7 ppg.
South Carolina was without the services of second-leading scorer Ta’Nya Latson (16.9 ppg)
South Carolina’s 59 rebounds and 26 offensive rebounds are the most the Gators have allowed all season.
Florida’s last win over a nationally-ranked opponent was on Mar. 6, 2025 in a 63-61 victory over No. 20 Alabama in the SEC Tournament.
The Gators have never beaten a top-three ranked opponent.

NEXT OPPONENT
           The Gators remain at home this Thursday, Jan. 8 for 7 p.m. EST tip at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The game is being broadcast on SECN+.

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