Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

University of Florida Gators Women’s Basketball plays against the Oklahoma Sooners for their senior night on Thursday, Feb. 27th, 2025.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida women’s basketball season ends in WBIT Semifinals

By Max Bernstein | Mar. 31

At the beginning of March, the season looked all but over for the Florida women’s basketball team. It had a 14-15 record and sat at 5-10 in SEC play. But after the Gators’ senior night loss on Feb. 27 to Oklahoma, head coach Kelly Rae Finley remained optimistic, saying, “It’s not the end of our season by any stretch of the imagination.”

Florida Gators plays against Texas Tech for the WBIT on Thursday, March 27th, 2025.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Laila Reynolds looks to usher in a new era of Florida women’s basketball

By Amanda Roman | Mar. 31

As Florida women’s basketball’s only sophomore, Laila Reynolds plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the program, inspiring and leading the next batch of players.

The SEC announced Monday it's delaying the start of men's and women's swimming and diving until October.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida men’s swim & dive places fourth at NCAA Championships

By Isabella Sanin | Mar. 30

The 2025 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships unfolded with a fierce intensity over four days in Federal Way, Washington. But for Florida, the meet represented the conclusion of a season defined by growth, determination and relentless competition. Every race and every dive mattered, as the Gators had their sights set on a top-five finish to cap their season on a high note.

Florida Gators outfielder Kendra Falby (27) throws the ball in a softball game against Providence in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gator softball sweeps Auburn in tight victory

By Liana Handler | Mar. 30

With one out, the bases loaded and her squad down by two, Florida first baseman Reagan Walsh laced a ball past the Tigers’ diving first baseman. Two runners – senior center fielder Kendra Falby and shortstop Rylee Holtorf – crossed home to tie the game.

UF Women's Tennis player Talia Neilson-Gatenby returns the ball toward her opponent during the Florida Invitational on Jan. 11, 2025. (Credit: Kade Sowers)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Short-handed Florida women’s tennis swept on the road by No. 10 Oklahoma

By Jeffrey Serber | Mar. 30

Beating a top 10 team on the road is a difficult task in itself. Having to do so with only five players, despite needing a minimum of six for a complete dual match, is even tougher.

Freshman and UF golf player Addison Klonowski plays at the Barbara Nicklaus Cup Day 1 on Oct. 7, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida women's golf team ends regular season with Chattanooga Classic win

By Brooke Bastedo | Mar. 30

Sophomore Ines Archer led the Florida women’s golf team to its fifth regular season win of the season in the Chattanooga Classic this weekend.

Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) dribbles the ball in a basketball game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida advances to Final Four after Clayton Jr.'s late game heroics

By Noah White | Mar. 29

In Florida’s most notable game of the last decade, Walter Clayton Jr. put together the strongest performance of his career, including a dagger three in the final seconds, to send the Gators to the Final Four.

Florida Gators outfielder Kendra Falby (27) celebrates as she arrives to home plate after her second home run of the season during a softball game against UCF in Gainesville, Fla., on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

No. 4 Florida takes road SEC series over Auburn

By Jackson Colding | Mar. 29

After a month of action away from the diamond, 18 games and 14 wins, Florida starting pitcher Keagan Rothrock finally made her return to the circle on Saturday.

Florida freshman field athlete Alida Van Daalen winds up a discus throw at the Florida Relays Friday March 31, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Van Daalen’s return, Harris’s debut headline outdoor opener for Gators track and field

By Paul Hof-Mahoney | Mar. 29

Florida athletes picked up nine event wins, including six in the field, in the team’s first taste of outdoor action. Alida van Daalen’s return to action was the standout performance.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men’s tennis sees win streak end with loss to No. 17 Mississippi State

By Curan Ahern | Mar. 29

Florida men’s tennis came up short in a 5-2 loss to No. 17 Mississippi State, ending its four-game win streak in conference play.

Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) poses with a young fan during ESPN’s College GameDay show on Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Drawing historic comparisons, Walter Clayton Jr. launches into spotlight

By Noah White | Mar. 29

Walter Clayton Jr. got three college basketball offers out of high school and commanded a sub-65 transfer ranking two years later. As of Tuesday, he is a finalist for the highest single-player award in college basketball.

Florida Gators outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) celebrates towards the dugout in a softball game against Providence in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gator softball captures first win over Auburn in a high-scoring affair

By Liana Handler | Mar. 29

With homers from junior Kenleigh Cahalan and sophomore Mia Williams, Gators softball outlasted the Tigers, 11-7.

Florida Gators outfielder Ty Evans (2) sprints to first base in a baseball game against the Air Force Academy in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators split doubleheader against No. 15 Ole Miss, win first SEC game

By Hugh Green | Mar. 29

The Gators fell to 0-8 in conference play in game one of the doubleheader against No. 15 Ole Miss but used a big ninth inning in game two to win their first SEC game of 2025.

Florida Gators attack Frannie Hahn (16) runs with the ball in a lacrosse game against Loyola Maryland in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse wins Big 12 opener over UC Davis

By Max Bernstein | Mar. 29

After failing to record a point for the first time in her career on Wednesday, Florida lacrosse freshman attacker Clark Hamilton went on a tear Friday night.

UF Women's Tennis player Nikola Daubnerova prepares to hit a ball during the Florida Invitational on Jan. 11, 2025. (Credit: Kade Sowers)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Noémie Oliveras grabs first conference win in Florida women’s tennis’ victory over Arkansas

By Jeffrey Serber | Mar. 28

Florida freshman Noémie Oliveras secured her first conference singles victory after dropping her first seven SEC matches in Florida’s dominant 6-1 victory over Arkansas.

Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) dunks the ball during a basketball game against UConn in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Gators gearing up for Elite Eight contest against Texas Tech

By Max Tucker | Mar. 28

As the Sweet 16 matchup between No. 10 seed Arkansas and No. 3 seed Texas Tech came down to its deciding moments, college basketball fans settled into their sofas and bar stools for what was seemingly about to become a regional final between two SEC behemoths.

Florida baseball sophomore shortstop Colby Shelton prepares to swing in the Gators' win over the University of North Florida on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators drop seventh-straight SEC game, fall in opener to No. 15 Ole Miss

By Hugh Green | Mar. 28

Florida’s pitchers struggled with command all night in the series opener at No. 15 Ole Miss, as the Gators dropped to 0-7 in conference play.

Florida Gators guard Alijah Martin (15) celebrates after a dunk during a basketball game against UConn in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida dominates second-half and boards, advancing past Maryland

By Noah White | Mar. 27

Florida’s season has been filled with firsts. The Gators earned their first one seed in over a decade. They ran out their first AP All-American in program history. They won the SEC for the first time since 2014. Now, Florida advances to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2017.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Florida women’s basketball staves off underdog Texas Tech, advances to WBIT semifinals

By Jack Meyer | Mar. 27

The Florida Gators women’s basketball team narrowly escaped with a win in the WBIT quarterfinals to punch its ticket to Indianapolis for the tournament’s penultimate round.

Gators men's tennis freshman Kevin Edengren hits a backhand shot in the team's match against The Citadel on Friday, January 19, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men’s tennis extends win streak to four with 5-2 victory over LSU

By Curan Ahern | Mar. 27

After a dominant win over Arkansas, a dogfight at Ole Miss and a strong performance against Vanderbilt, the Florida men’s tennis team looked ready to take on anyone who stood in their way.