Florida Gators women’s basketball fell to Arkansas 70-41 on Sunday to wrap up its regular-season schedule, marking the finale to a year filled with challenges for the program.
In her fifth season, Kelly Rae Finley led a Florida team struggling to find its footing to 17 wins and 14 losses. The unforgiving SEC slate was not kind to the Gators, who dropped 11 conference games, ranking them 12th among their peers. Those results reflect a glaring reality Florida faces again this year while competing in the nation’s premier conference for women’s hoops.
While the overall record shows incremental progress on the margins, the Gators have a long way to go.
Florida opened the season with a 4-0 start in a series of convincing non-conference victories that provided optimism. Opponents like North Florida (96-62), Chattanooga (94-52) and Jacksonville (100-55) were overwhelmed by the Gators’ defense.
A youth-laden roster leaned on freshman guard Liv McGill, who emerged as the primary option for the Florida offense. McGill led the team in scoring throughout the season, averaging 20 points per game while also creating opportunities for teammates; she also led the team in assists with six per game.
In a blowout of in-state rival Florida State, her 27-point showing showcased a dynamic skill set and future promise. Her two-way impact on the court for Florida was a rare treat for a first-year player in Division I play.
Seniors Jeriah Warren, Me’Arah O’Neal and Laila Reynolds all supplemented McGill throughout the season — the trio provided leadership and veteran locker room presence.
The SEC schedule presented challenges. Ranked conference opponents made quick work of the Gators as the physicality of conference play took a toll. Despite faltering in the grind of SEC play, the Gators showed resilience in standout wins against Missouri and Mississippi State.
These were hard-fought contests that showcased Florida’s ability to compete, punctuated by extended stretches of futile play. The moments of bliss offered a slim glimpse into what the team could mature into moving forward. Even when overmatched, the team never lost its competitive spirit.
Overall, the 2025-26 Florida Gators kept a competitive mindset throughout the year, which along with emerging talent, could serve as a building block for next season.
The Gators enter the 2026 SEC women’s basketball tournament this week. The 16-team, single-elimination event starts on March 4 and will be televised on the SEC Network.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball building toward future after tough regular season
Reporting by Michael Long, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
