The Florida women’s basketball team loses 74–51 to Auburn.

In a game that many had circled as a crucial opportunity for the Florida Gators to build momentum, the Florida women’s basketball team suffered a lopsided defeat to the Auburn Tigers, losing 74–51. The result, which saw the Gators struggle both offensively and defensively, has left fans and analysts alike questioning where things went wrong for a team that was hoping to turn a corner in the middle of the season.

This game marked yet another challenging contest for the Gators, who have faced inconsistent performances throughout the 2024–25 campaign. While Auburn’s victory was a significant one for the Tigers, this loss to a conference opponent stings especially for Florida, which has been trying to establish itself as a competitive force in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). As the Gators were hoping to gain ground in the standings, this defeat puts them at risk of falling further behind.

Let’s take a closer look at the game’s key moments, the struggles that led to the loss, and what this means for the rest of Florida’s season.

A Disappointing First Half

From the very beginning, it was clear that Florida was not clicking on either side of the ball. Auburn came out aggressive, setting the tone with a fast-paced offense that immediately tested Florida’s defense. On the other end, the Gators struggled to find any rhythm, resulting in a frustrating first half. Florida’s shooting woes were apparent from the opening tip, as they struggled to get high-percentage shots, often settling for contested jumpers or forced attempts at the basket.

The first quarter was especially tough for Florida. Auburn’s defense smothered the Gators, forcing them into a series of turnovers and rushed possessions. By the end of the first quarter, Florida was trailing by 12 points, 21–9. The Gators shot just 30% from the field in the opening period, missing several opportunities to trim the lead. Meanwhile, Auburn had no such trouble, scoring efficiently and capitalizing on Florida’s mistakes. The Tigers’ defense stifled the Gators’ ball movement, which led to several empty possessions for the Gators early on.

Head coach Kelly Rae Finley’s team seemed out of sync throughout the first half. Florida’s transition defense was slow, leaving Auburn shooters open for easy looks from behind the arc. As the game went on, the Gators were caught flat-footed as Auburn took advantage of fast breaks and second-chance points, pushing their lead to 15 points at halftime, 38–23.

Florida’s leading scorer in the first half, forward Jordyn Merritt, struggled to find any offensive flow. Despite her best efforts to generate offense in the paint, she found herself battling against an Auburn defense that had a clear game plan to limit her effectiveness. Meanwhile, Auburn’s offense, led by standout guard Annie McGhee, took full advantage of Florida’s lapses, and their high-paced offense kept the Gators on their heels throughout.

The Second Half: Auburn Maintains Control

As the second half began, Florida’s hopes of a comeback seemed distant, especially with the Tigers maintaining control of the game. Florida did manage to trim the lead down to single digits early in the third quarter, but that would be the closest they got. Auburn responded with a 12–2 run midway through the third quarter, extending their advantage and putting the Gators in a difficult position to mount a serious rally.

The Gators’ defensive struggles continued, as Auburn’s fast breaks and efficient shooting proved too much to handle. Auburn’s offense was in a constant rhythm, with McGhee and forward Deja Washington playing key roles in keeping the pressure on Florida. Washington’s ability to hit mid-range jumpers and McGhee’s presence on the perimeter made it difficult for Florida to establish any defensive consistency.

Florida’s offense, meanwhile, struggled to find any flow. Guard Nina Rickards, who had been a consistent contributor throughout the season, was held to just six points in the game. Her inability to get open looks or create space for herself meant that Florida lacked a steady offensive presence. In addition, the Gators were unable to capitalize on free throws, missing several key attempts at the line that could have kept them within striking distance.

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the game was essentially decided. Auburn had built a commanding 20-point lead, and Florida simply had no answer for the Tigers’ defensive pressure and efficient shooting. Despite a late flurry from Merritt and guard Kendyl Moffe, Florida couldn’t close the gap, and the final buzzer sounded with Auburn securing a 74–51 victory.

Key Players and Moments

While it was a difficult loss for the Gators, there were a few individual performances that stood out. For Florida, Jordyn Merritt was the team’s most consistent player, finishing as the team’s leading scorer with 14 points and nine rebounds. However, Merritt’s efforts weren’t enough to spark a comeback, as the Gators were too reliant on her and failed to get contributions from other players.

Kendyl Moffe, who had shown flashes of brilliance earlier in the season, was also held in check during this game. She finished with just eight points and struggled to find her rhythm against Auburn’s swarming defense. Florida will need more from Moffe in future games if they hope to turn things around.

For Auburn, the performance of Annie McGhee was particularly impressive. The senior guard played one of her best games of the season, scoring 18 points and dishing out five assists. Her ability to create offense, both for herself and her teammates, was a big factor in Auburn’s commanding win. McGhee’s outside shooting was particularly damaging for the Gators, as she knocked down several threes in the second half to put the game out of reach.

Deja Washington, another key contributor for Auburn, added 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Her mid-range game and ability to get to the basket were crucial in maintaining Auburn’s offensive flow. Washington’s combination of size and skill was difficult for Florida’s defense to contain, and she consistently found ways to score in key moments.

Florida’s Struggles: Offense and Defense

For Florida, this loss highlighted many of the issues that have plagued the team throughout the season. Offensively, the Gators are still searching for consistency. Their shooting, especially from beyond the arc, continues to be an issue, and they have yet to find a reliable second or third scoring option to complement Merritt. Florida’s offense tends to stagnate in key moments, and that was evident in their inability to respond to Auburn’s runs. The Gators’ lack of ball movement and failure to execute in transition also hindered their offensive flow.

Defensively, Florida was outmatched by Auburn’s offensive tempo and execution. The Gators’ transition defense was slow, allowing Auburn to rack up easy fast-break points. Additionally, Florida struggled to contest Auburn’s three-point shooting, and they were often caught out of position when it came to switching on pick-and-rolls. With the Tigers hitting key shots from outside and getting to the rim with ease, Florida’s defense looked disorganized and overmatched at times.

Head coach Kelly Rae Finley will likely need to adjust both the offense and defense moving forward. Florida must become more disciplined defensively and improve their rotations. On offense, the Gators need to focus on ball movement, creating open shots, and developing additional scoring options. Until these issues are addressed, Florida will continue to face challenges in a highly competitive SEC.

What’s Next for Florida?

As the season progresses, Florida’s loss to Auburn serves as a wake-up call. While there is still plenty of time to turn things around, the Gators cannot afford to keep slipping in the standings. The SEC is as competitive as ever, and Florida must find a way to win crucial conference games if they want to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

The Gators’ upcoming schedule will provide more opportunities for redemption, but they will need to make significant improvements on both ends of the floor. If they can find a way to consistently execute offensively and shore up their defense, Florida still has the potential to be a dangerous team come tournament time. However, after this loss to Auburn, there’s no question that the road ahead will be difficult for the Gators.

In the meantime, fans will be hoping that the team can rebound, regroup, and learn from this defeat as they work toward turning their season around.