Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Gators basketball seniors Scottie Wilbekin, Will Yeguete, Casey Prather and Patric Young embrace after leaving the floor of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center for the last time during Florida’s 84-65 win against Kentucky on March 8.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

UF fans should savor basketball team while they have the chance

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 19, 2014

Enjoy this, Gators fans.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Troy adjusting lineup for NCAA Championships

By Logan McGuire | Mar. 19, 2014

A season of record-setting performances, close wins, near losses and hundreds of hours spent swimming tens of thousands of yards culminates in Milwaukee, Minn., at the three-day NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships that gets started today for the No. 8 Gators (5-3, 3-2 Southeastern Conference).

Josh Tobias bats during Florida’s 3-1 win against Florida State on March 18.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Tobias’ home run, defensive play give Florida momentum

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 18, 2014

Tuesday night, Josh Tobias watched his third-inning solo home run sail into the filled left-field bleachers longer than he normally would.

Dorian Finney-Smith (right) guards Kentucky's Julius Randle during the Gators' 61-60 win against the Wildcats on March 16 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Free throws challenge Gators

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 18, 2014

From its 26-game winning streak to its undefeated Southeastern Conference record, Florida has knocked down barriers and accomplished feats no other team has ever done.

Aaron Rhodes pitches during Florida’s 3-1 win against Florida State on March 18 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Bullpen secures upset victory against No. 2 Florida State

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 18, 2014

Normally, when your starting pitcher goes only three innings against the No. 2 team in the country, it means your bullpen is in for a long night of trying to contain a blowout.

Shannon Gilroy breaks away from a group of defenders during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gilroy leads offense to home blowout of Dartmouth

By EDEN OTERO | Mar. 18, 2014

Shannon Gilroy has become the star of a team in a sport where toughness beats perfection.

Cassie Peoples drives down the court during Florida’s 81-76 loss to Missouri on Feb. 20 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators get berth in Tournament

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 17, 2014

After a quick two-game stretch in as many days at this year’s Southeastern Conference Tournament, the Gators got some much needed time off heading into the NCAA Tournament.

Rachel Spicer performs a floor routine during Florida’s 197.525-196.025 win against Arkansas on Feb. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida ahead of championship team’s pace

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Mar. 17, 2014

Florida may have won its national championship in 2013, but the 2014 squad is far ahead of its predecessor.

Taylor Gushue bats during Florida’s 1-0 win against Arkansas on Saturday at McKethan Stadium. UF went 3 for 15 with runners on base in its 9-3 loss Sunday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators’ offense struggles in first SEC series of 2014

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 17, 2014

The Gators could not buy runs against the Razorbacks.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Disappointing finish at nationals ends Florida’s indoor season

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Mar. 17, 2014

There was not anyone coach Mike Holloway wanted to blame for the sub-par National Indoor Championships performance other than himself.

The Southeastern Conference Tournament final pitted the Gators and Wildcats against one another for the third time in the 2013-2014 season.
With just more than 11 minutes on the clock and down by 15, the Wildcats proceeded to go on a 21-7 run to cut the Gators’ lead to 61-60 with 1:31 left in the game.
After Scottie Wilbekin and Dorian Finney-Smith each missed free throws with fewer than 30 seconds to go, UK had a chance to jump ahead and capture the SEC Tournament on the final possession.
However, when James Young had an open lane, he slipped and lost possession of the ball to secure Florida’s first SEC Tournament championship since 2007.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators survive last-minute free-throw woes to win SEC Tourney

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 16, 2014

ATLANTA — Standing at the free-throw line on the front end of a one-and-one with 23 seconds on the clock and Florida ahead of Kentucky 61-60, Scottie Wilbekin took three dribbles, bent down and released his shot.

Scottie Wilbekin prepares to shoot during Florida’s 61-60 win against Kentucky on March 16 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Wilbekin finds redemption, is named tournament MVP

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 16, 2014

ATLANTA – When Scottie Wilbekin slumped down in his chair in the dimly lit press-conference room located in the bowels of the Jacksonville Memorial Arena on Nov. 25, he did not look like a winner.

Patric Young attempts a free throw during Florida’s 61-60 win against Kentucky on Sunday in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida awarded No. 1 overall seed

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 16, 2014

ATLANTA — After the confetti fell and the nets were cut, Florida learned its spot in the NCAA Tournament.

A.J. Puk pitches during Florida's 4-0 win against Maryland on Feb. 14 at McKethan Stadium. Puk surrendered four runs against Arkansas on Sunday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Poor pitching dampens Bader’s return to lineup

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 16, 2014

The problems began four pitches in.

Santiago Gavino hits the ball during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Saturday at the Mark Bostick Golf Course. Gavino totaled a score of 232 (+16) as an individual competitor at the Chris Schenkel Invitational last weekend.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida finishes 13th at Chris Schenkel Invitational

By LAYNE WEITZEL< | Mar. 16, 2014

It seems that as the Gators have moved through the season, they haven’t gotten better — they’ve gotten worse.

Camilla Hedberg celebrates after shooting a birdie during the third round of the SunTrust Women’s Gator Invitational.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Strong winds hinder Gators during eighth-place finish

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Mar. 16, 2014

The Gators battled wind and a first-round, 25-over-par deficit to finish eighth out of 14 teams in their only home tournament of the season.

Kelsey Stewart swings during Florida’s 8-0 win against Indiana on Feb. 22, 2014 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators' first-inning offense buries Tigers

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 16, 2014

Florida only needed one inning on Sunday to clinch its first road series of the season.

Maxx Lipman swings at the ball during Florida’s 4-2 win against TCU on Jan. 26 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Georgia snaps Florida's home winning streak

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Mar. 16, 2014

After a tough fight in singles, No. 17 Florida (7-6,2-2 Southeastern Conference) dropped its match and its home winning streak after falling to the Georgia (10-5, 5-0 SEC) 4-3.

Olivia Janowicz returns the ball during Florida’s 4-0 win against Harvard on Jan. 26 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Doubles play dooms Florida

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 16, 2014

Down 3-2, Florida’s seniors could only watch as their younger teammates tried to complete a comeback bid in front of a deafening Georgia crowd.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida drops one spot in second round

By LAYNE WEITZEL< | Mar. 16, 2014

It’s not about how you start but how you finish, and in Buddy Alexander’s eyes, Florida did not finish well.