Gators move past coaching change, scandal
GAINESVILLE — Florida looks to surpass last season’s victory total in women’s basketball Sunday at Alabama, aiming for win No. 13 with 11 regular-season games to go.
To call the Gators’ success progress is just the beginning.
Shaking off seasons of frustration, an offseason scandal and sudden coaching change plus the recent loss of a star player are testament to teamwork, resilience and resolve.
“We talk a lot about how experiences are your greatest teachers,” interim coach Kelly Rae Finley said.
Finley’s players relied on these lessons during Thursday’s 68-63 home win against Auburn.
Having led all but 30 seconds entering the fourth quarter, the Gators lost their grip during a nearly six-minute scoring drought before veteran point guard Kiara “Kiki” Smith seized the reins.
Smith scored 8 of Florida’s next 12 to finish with 16 second-half points of her team-high 19. The 5-foot-10 left-hander thrice flummoxed defenders with blitzing drives to the basket — the pivotal one with 1:04 remaining rather than calling timeout.
“She’s one of the most creative open-floor players in our league,” Finley said. “That was a big-time play at a big-time moment, but that’s what we expect of her. We trust her decision-making in those moments.”
Smith then calmly sank two free throws with 30 seconds later to give the Gators the lead for good and continue the program’s best start since 2015-16.
As mid-January arrives, Florida (12-5, 2-2 SEC) could equal last season’s SEC win total Sunday at Alabama (10-6, 1-4).
“We don’t compare us to last season,” Smith said. “It’s a whole new season, a whole new team, a whole new system.”
To reach this point, the remade Gators first had to address and dispel the past. UF fired coach Cam Newbauer after four seasons following accusations he belittled players, directed fits of anger at them, questioned the sexuality of some and demeaned Black members of the team because of their appearance.
Finley served under Newbauer but ultimately was regarded as buffer zone rather than an enabler.
“Kelly is always the same to me,” said Smith, now in her fourth season. “Whether she’s having a good day or bad day, we never know; she’s consistent. [It] makes us want to play hard for her and do this for her, especially after what she’s been through and what she’s overcome.”
The players have responded to Finley with loyalty, enthusiasm and a sense of relief while elevating their performance after Florida averaged just 11.5 wins under Newbauer.
The Gators also have overcome the recent loss of shooting guard Lavender Briggs. The team’s second-leading scorer, Briggs suffered a season-ending injury two weeks ago and recently entered the transfer portal.
Florida answered with a gutsy 97-89 win last Sunday at No. 23 Texas A&M.
“As a team we have a lot of talent; we knew that was a big piece of it,” Smith said of Briggs. “A lot of the players have just taken the opportunity and stepped up to the plate. I’m proud of each and every one of them.”
Besides Smith’s lategame brilliance against Auburn, Nina Rickards was 6 of 6 from the foul line during the game’s final three minutes as Florida made 20 of 23 free throw.
Overcoming Briggs’ loss will fall largely on Smith, who averages of 13.5 points and 4.3 assists to go with 5.2 rebounds. Smith also will lean on her teammates as the Gators continue to grow under Finley.
“When you’re having fun, it takes a lot of pressure off,” Smith said. “If you have fun with it, plus when you enjoy playing with who you’re playing with and who you’re playing for, the talent just shows.”