Florida
Ole Miss
Florida's Paint Dominance, McGill's Record Night Sink No. 19 Ole Miss
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (02/25/2026) — The Florida Gators secured their first victory over a ranked opponent this season, upsetting the No. 19 Ole Miss Rebels 74-67 in a hard-fought SEC matchup at Legacy Arena. Florida's hyper-efficient offense and overwhelming control of the interior proved too much for the Rebels, snapping a seven-game losing streak to their conference rivals.
Leading the charge for the Gators was Liv McGill, who delivered a historic performance with 28 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. In the process, McGill broke Florida's single-season scoring record, a mark previously held by Tonya Washington since the 1999-2000 season.
How It Happened
The game was a tale of two offensive philosophies. While Ole Miss found life from beyond the arc, Florida relentlessly attacked the basket. The Gators shot a blistering 59% from the field, largely by creating high-percentage looks near the rim. This strategy resulted in a staggering 46-20 advantage in points in the paint, a differential the Rebels could not overcome.
Ole Miss stayed competitive thanks to a career night from Tianna Thompson, who erupted for 25 points, including seven three-pointers that repeatedly kept the Rebels within striking distance. Cotie McMahon added 15 points and Christeen Iwuala chipped in with 10 for Ole Miss.
The Rebels also suffered a significant blow when forward Latasha Lattimore, their third-leading scorer, exited the game in the third quarter with an injury and did not return.
Turning Point
The game's decisive momentum shift occurred across two key stretches. Florida first seized control by closing the first half on a 15-5 run, erasing a deficit to take a 40-37 lead into the locker room after Ole Miss had gone cold from the field for the final five minutes of the second quarter.
After a back-and-forth third quarter, the Gators put the game away early in the fourth. A commanding 12-1 run, capped by a transition layup, extended their lead to 63-51. Although a late 9-0 surge from the Rebels, sparked by two of Thompson's three-pointers, cut the deficit to five, Ole Miss could get no closer. Florida sealed the victory from the free-throw line in the final minutes.
Star of the Game
Without question, Liv McGill was the engine for the Florida Gators. Her 28-point outburst was not just voluminous but remarkably efficient. She consistently broke down the Ole Miss defense, creating scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. Her eight assists orchestrated the offense, while her command of the game was evident from start to finish. Her record-breaking layup early in the third quarter was a fitting milestone in a game she thoroughly dominated.
What It Means
For the Florida Gators, this victory is a signature moment in their season. Defeating a ranked conference opponent provides a significant boost as they head toward the SEC Tournament. Snapping the long losing streak against Ole Miss adds another layer of importance to the win.
For the No. 19 Ole Miss Rebels, the loss is a damaging one to their postseason aspirations, particularly their goal of hosting an NCAA Tournament regional. It marks their third consecutive defeat and exposes a vulnerability to teams that can control the paint. The Rebels will need to regroup quickly and find more consistent offensive support for their perimeter shooters as they close out the regular season.