Ra Shaya Kyle led the Gators on Monday evening against Hofstra. Kyle posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Gators Get Back on Road for SEC/ACC Challenge at Clemson
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 | Women's Basketball
CLEMSON, S.C. —Florida will seek its first road win of the 2024-25 season on Thursday evening at Clemson. The 8 p.m. matchup is part of the SEC/ACC Challenge and will be broadcasted on ACC Network.
The Gators hold an even 4-4 record heading into their ninth matchup of non-conference play. All four of Florida's victories were captured at the Exactech Arena in Gainesville, making Thursday's contest an opportunity for Florida to secure road win No. 1 of the season.
Clemson (5-2, 0-0 ACC)
TALE OF THE TAPE:
THE SERIES:
The overall series between Florida and Clemson is knotted at 2-2. With a tied all-time series, Thursday's contest will determine who holds the respective advantage.
GATORS x CLEMSON HISTORY:
The Florida Gators and the Clemson Tigers have faced off a combined four times in recorded history. The first contest dates back to 1985 where the Gators fell 69-65 at Clemson. From there Florida secured the second all-time matchup, 67-66 at home on Dec. 15, 1986. With a tied series at 1-1, the Tigers and Gators met for the first time in neutral territory on Dec. 2, 1988. Clemson defeated Florida 63-47.
The respective schools didn't cross paths again until 35 years later on Mar. 23, 2023, also marking the most recent matchup in the all-time series. In 2023, Florida took a 10-point victory over the Tigers (73-63) to secure a spot in the WNIT quarterfinals. Thursday's outing will mark Florida's third overall appearance at Clemson.
PROJECTED FLORIDA STARTERS:
FLORIDA'S LAST TIME OUT:
The Gators last saw the hardwood on Monday evening earning a 75-48 win over the Hofstra Pride. The home victory snapped the Gators four game losing streak to even out Florida's record at 4-4.
Florida was led on both ends of the court by freshman Me'Arah O'Neal and Senior Ra Shaya Kyle. O'Neal and Kyle each posted double-doubles in Monday's matchup. Kyle tallied 15 points and secured 11 rebounds to mark her fourth double-double of the season. O'Neal was not far behind with 14 points and 10 rebounds to claim her first collegiate double-double.
Reynolds also secured double-figures in scoring with 12-points in her first game back at the O'Dome for the 2024-25 season. The Gators are also now seeing a complete starting lineup after working out a few preseason and minor injuries.
GATOR QUICK HITS:
PROJECTED CLEMSON STARTERS:
ABOUT CLEMSON:
FOLLOW THE GATORS:
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators
The Gators hold an even 4-4 record heading into their ninth matchup of non-conference play. All four of Florida's victories were captured at the Exactech Arena in Gainesville, making Thursday's contest an opportunity for Florida to secure road win No. 1 of the season.
Clemson (5-2, 0-0 ACC)
- Date: Thurs., Dec. 5
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Site: Littlejohn Coliseum
- Stream: ACC Network
- Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM
- Stats: StatBroadcast
- Tickets
TALE OF THE TAPE:
Florida | The Numbers | Clemson |
82.9 | PPG | 70.1 |
68.1 | OPP PPG | 51.4 |
+14.8 | SCORING MARGIN | +18.7 |
49.8 | FG % | 44.2 |
37.6 | OPP FG% | 36.1 |
31.9 | 3 FG% | 34.3 |
69.6 | FT % | 81.4 |
42.3 | REBOUNDS PG | 42.0 |
15.5 | ASSISTS PG | 17.3 |
16.4 | TURNOVERS PG | 14.1 |
8.4 | STEALS PG | 6.1 |
4.1 | BLOCKS PG | 2.9 |
THE SERIES:
The overall series between Florida and Clemson is knotted at 2-2. With a tied all-time series, Thursday's contest will determine who holds the respective advantage.
GATORS x CLEMSON HISTORY:
The Florida Gators and the Clemson Tigers have faced off a combined four times in recorded history. The first contest dates back to 1985 where the Gators fell 69-65 at Clemson. From there Florida secured the second all-time matchup, 67-66 at home on Dec. 15, 1986. With a tied series at 1-1, the Tigers and Gators met for the first time in neutral territory on Dec. 2, 1988. Clemson defeated Florida 63-47.
The respective schools didn't cross paths again until 35 years later on Mar. 23, 2023, also marking the most recent matchup in the all-time series. In 2023, Florida took a 10-point victory over the Tigers (73-63) to secure a spot in the WNIT quarterfinals. Thursday's outing will mark Florida's third overall appearance at Clemson.
PROJECTED FLORIDA STARTERS:
Florida | No. | Height | Position | Class | Hometown/Previous School |
Me'Arah O'Neal | 8 | 6-4 | G/F | Fr. | Houston, TX |
Laila Reynolds | 13 | 6-1 | G | So. | PG County, MD |
Jeriah Warren | 20 | 6-0 | G | Sr. | Lake Charles, LA |
Liv McGill | 23 | 5-9 | G | Fr. | Minneapolis, MN |
Ra Shaya Kyle | 24 | 6-6 | C | Sr. | Marion, Ind. / Purdue |
FLORIDA'S LAST TIME OUT:
The Gators last saw the hardwood on Monday evening earning a 75-48 win over the Hofstra Pride. The home victory snapped the Gators four game losing streak to even out Florida's record at 4-4.
Florida was led on both ends of the court by freshman Me'Arah O'Neal and Senior Ra Shaya Kyle. O'Neal and Kyle each posted double-doubles in Monday's matchup. Kyle tallied 15 points and secured 11 rebounds to mark her fourth double-double of the season. O'Neal was not far behind with 14 points and 10 rebounds to claim her first collegiate double-double.
Reynolds also secured double-figures in scoring with 12-points in her first game back at the O'Dome for the 2024-25 season. The Gators are also now seeing a complete starting lineup after working out a few preseason and minor injuries.
GATOR QUICK HITS:
- Reynolds has reached double digits in scoring for three consecutive outings (14 vs. Tulane, 15 vs. James Madison, 12 vs. Hofstra)
- The Gators have secured 20+ points in 19 of 32 (59%) quarters played this season
- Florida is No. 13 in the NCAA from the field, shooting 49.8
- Kyle has posted four double-doubles in eight outings this season
- Florida's starting lineup is back to full strength with Reynolds returning at Florida State (Nov. 22), and O'Neal being cleared versus Tulane (Nov. 28)
- UF has four players averaging in double figures for scoring, McGill (16.5), Kyle (16.3), Warren (16.3), and Reynolds (11.8)
- McGill is No. 24 in the nation for assists, distributing 44 in eight outings
- The Gators are 1-0 since the SEC/ACC Challenge launched in 2023
PROJECTED CLEMSON STARTERS:
Clemson | No. | Height | Position | Class | Hometown/Previous School |
Loyal McQueen | 1 | 5-8 | G | Gr. | Florence, S.C. |
Hannah Kohn | 5 | 5-9 | G | So. | Oviedo, Fla. |
Maddi Cluse | 11 | 5-10 | G | Sr. | Sagamore Hills, Ohio |
Mia Moore | 12 | 5-6 | G | Jr. | Alpharetta, Ga. |
Tessa Miller | 22 | 6-2 | F | Sr. | Crossville, Tenn. |
ABOUT CLEMSON:
- The Tigers are coming off a 67-48 win against Kennesaw State
- In their most recent outing, Clemson shot 70.4 percent from the field in the second half—a fourth all-time program record
- Only one underclassman is featured in the Tigers' starting lineup, sophomore Hannah Kohn
- Clemson has two players averaging in double digits for scoring, McQueen (14.4), and Moore (11.4)
- Moore also leads the Tigers with a combined 49 rebounds, averaging seven per game
- Clemson is No. 1 in the ACC from the free throw line shooting 81.4 percent
- Defensively the Tigers are No. 11 in the NCAA for scoring defense (51.4)
FOLLOW THE GATORS:
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators
Players Mentioned
WBIT: Coach Gardner, McGill and Reynolds Press Conference 3-31-25
Monday, March 31
WBIT: Coach Gardner, McGill and Reynolds Press Conference 3-30-25
Sunday, March 30
WBIT: Coach Finely, Kyle and McGill
Thursday, March 27
Florida at UNLV Presser Finley and Warren
Monday, March 24