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Gators women push to learn from loss to No. 1 South Carolina

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Gators women push to learn from loss to No. 1 South Carolina


GAINESVILLE — SEC schedule makers appeared to do the Florida women’s basketball team few favors pitting them against top-ranked juggernaut South Carolina to open league play.

Gators coach Kelly Rae Finley instead viewed Thursday’s night 89-66 loss at O’Connell Center as valuable experience for a program pushing to return to the NCAA Tournament.

“I love it. Our team loves it,” she said. “Any time you get the chance to play the best it’s going to be a really good thing for us.”

Finley sees long-term benefits exposing her players to the gold standard in the women’s game early in the season.

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“There’s a lot of things to learn from this game,” she said. “It gives us an opportunity in our SEC opener.”

The top-ranked Gamecocks (14-0, 1-0 SEC) looked the part.

Dawn Staley’s juggernaut steamrolled the Gators (9-4, 0-1) to stake a 21-6 lead and pulled away for good with a 15-0 run to open the third quarter.

To reach the NCAA Tournament for the second time in Finley’s three seasons, the Gators will have to grow from the experience.

“We have a decision to make after this game,” veteran guard Zippy Broughton said. “We can either have a pity party for ourselves or use this as an opportunity to have good film and learn from it.”

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Florida coach Kelly Rae Finley is 49-30 in her third season at UF after inheriting a team that was 46-71 during the previous four. (Mark Humphrey/AP)

The Gators were unable to match the Gamecocks’ talent, depth and experience.

Yet, Staley, whose 2017 and ’22 teams won national titles, gave Finley’s squad the ultimate compliment, praising the Gators’ hard-nosed play.

“They’ll win a lot of basketball games in our league if they continue to play as aggressively as they did with us,” Staley, a 53-year-old Hall of Fame player, said.

Finley was happy to hear her fellow coach’s observations.

“They’re physical, they’re strong, they’re skilled, they play hard, their transitions are elite,” she said. “That’s what our focus is.”

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The Gators’ toughest matchup to date is likely to be the most difficult on the regular-season schedule. After all, South Carolina now won 55 of 56 games and 16 straight overall in their series with UF.

“There’s a reason they’re the No. 1 team in the country,” Finley said.

Outside of a Feb. 5 trip to defending national champion LSU, the Gators will not face another opponent currently ranked in the Top 25.

Florida coach Kelly Rae Finley aims to lead the Gators to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in her three seasons in Gainesville. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida coach Kelly Rae Finley aims to lead the Gators to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in her three seasons in Gainesville. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

Last season UF failed to build on a surprising debut season under Finley, finishing 5-11 in SEC play after going 10-6 and 21-11 overall to reach the 2022 Big Dance. A run to the 2023 WNIT quarterfinals left the Gators 18-15 and with some positive momentum after a difficult, injury-riddled season.

Shooting guard Leilani Correa battled a leg injury much of her first season after transferring from St. Johns. Against South Carolina, the 6-foot senior scored 17 straight points to finish the first half with 21 points and her team trailing 48-34.

“My team needed me,” she said. “Even before the game, I was just locked in.”

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South Carolina took charge to open the third quarter as UF missed 7 field goals and committed 4 turnovers while the Gamecocks locked down Correa, who shot 2 of 5 after intermission but finished with a season-high 27 points.

“We just bore down and started defending them a lot better than we did in the first half,” Staley said.

UF center Ra Shaya Kyle’s layup with 6:01 remaining in the quarter were the first points for the Gators, who were outscored 25-12 to trail 73-46 entering the final 10 minutes.

Kyle totaled 12 points, but just 3 rebounds — 7.1 below her season average. A season ago, though, the 6-foot-6 senior was not fully recovered from an ACL tear before transferring from Purdue.

An off night by leading scorer Aliyah Matharu, who was 3 of 18 for 10 points, 9 below her average, was difficult to overcome against a team entering Thursday with an average winning margin of 41 points.

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But the Gators expect better — and easier — days are ahead.

“We’ve been putting in the work,” Correa said.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com



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South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for March 4, 2026

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South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for March 4, 2026


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The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

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Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing

07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from March 4 drawing

Midday: 4-6-9, FB: 3

Evening: 1-2-4, FB: 3

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Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from March 4 drawing

Midday: 1-3-2-3, FB: 3

Evening: 4-6-4-8, FB: 3

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 4 drawing

Midday: 09

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Evening: 12

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from March 4 drawing

03-29-30-35-38

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 4 drawing

05-10-26-53-59, Powerball: 06

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Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.

Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.

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SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.

Columbia Claims Center

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1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
  • Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
  • Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
  • Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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House ethics committee investigating SC Republican for alleged overbilling

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House ethics committee investigating SC Republican for alleged overbilling


The House ethics committee announced Monday it is investigating Representative Nancy Mace, the South Carolina Republican, for potentially improper reimbursement.

Mace may have sought and received reimbursements for Washington property expenses that were greater than the costs she actually incurred. The congresswoman has taken issue with the reliability of the committee’s evidence, however.

The committee began its investigation following a December referral from the House Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC), an independent body that reviews allegations of misconduct. The OCC recommended that the committee investigate Mace’s reimbursement activity since there is “substantial” reason to believe she acted unethically – potentially in violation of House rules, standards of conduct and federal law.

Bills and statements from early 2023 to mid-2024 show that Mace overbilled the House for over $9,000 during that period, the OCC said. She allegedly requested the maximum reimbursement each month, at times receiving over a thousand dollars more than what she was entitled to, although the details of her finances are murky. Mace owned the property with her fiancé, who may have helped pay for it, according to the OCC.

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“Based on the information available to the OCC, it appears Rep. Mace was reimbursed amounts exceeding the actual costs incurred for the DC Property during several months in 2023 and 2024,” the office said in its report.

“Further, if Rep. Mace did not pay for 100% of expenses related to the DC property – a determination the OCC could neither reach nor reject due to the Congresswoman’s lack of cooperation – this would increase the disparity between the amounts Rep. Mace was reimbursed and her actual expenses incurred.”

Mace’s lawyer, William Sullivan, Jr., wrote in response to the report in December that the OCC’s conclusions were “fundamentally flawed.” The report appeared to include unverified assertions and materials from the congresswoman’s former fiancé, who has a history of abusive and retaliatory behavior toward her, Sullivan said. The couple’s relationship ended in late 2023 to protect Mace’s “safety and wellbeing,” he noted.

“The Referral Report’s reliance on material and information originating from [the former fiancé] is therefore deeply problematic,” Sullivan wrote. “[The fiancé’s] personal motives, documented misuse of legal process, and demonstrated willingness to advance distorted or incomplete narratives about the Congresswoman raise substantial concerns about the accuracy and fairness of any claims premised upon or aligned with his accounts.”

The ethics committee is in the initial stage of its investigation and is gathering more information before advancing.

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.

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How to watch Tennessee Volunteers: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | March 3

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How to watch Tennessee Volunteers: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | March 3


The college basketball slate on Tuesday will include Mike Sharavjamts and the South Carolina Gamecocks (12-17, 3-13 SEC) hosting Nate Ament and the No. 25 Tennessee Volunteers (20-9, 10-6 SEC) at Colonial Life Arena, with the matchup tipping at 6 p.m. ET.

See more details below, including how to watch this game on SEC Network.

Here’s everything you need to prepare for Tuesday’s college hoops action.

South Carolina vs. Tennessee: How to watch on TV or live stream

  • Game day: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
  • Game time: 6 p.m. ET
  • Location: Columbia, South Carolina
  • Arena: Colonial Life Arena
  • TV Channel: SEC Network
  • Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

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Tennessee vs. South Carolina stats and trends

  • Tennessee is averaging 80.1 points per game (87th-ranked in college basketball) this year, while ceding 69.2 points per contest (62nd-ranked).
  • The Volunteers are dominating when it comes to rebounding, as they rank third-best in college basketball in boards (40.1 per game) and second-best in boards allowed (25.8 per contest).
  • Tennessee ranks 32nd in the country with 17.0 assists per game.
  • The Volunteers are committing 11.6 turnovers per game (240th-ranked in college basketball). They are forcing 10.6 turnovers per contest (231st-ranked).
  • Tennessee is making 6.8 threes per game (279th-ranked in college basketball). It has a 34.3% shooting percentage (167th-ranked) from three-point land.
  • With 7.9 threes conceded per game, the Volunteers rank 196th in the country. They are giving up a 30.5% shooting percentage from three-point land, which ranks 29th in college basketball.
  • Tennessee is attempting 41.3 two-pointers per game this year, which account for 67.7% of the shots it has taken (and 76.2% of the team’s baskets). Meanwhile, it is attempting 19.7 three-pointers per contest, which are 32.3% of its shots (and 23.8% of the team’s buckets).

Tennessee vs. South Carolina Odds and Spread

  • Spread Favorite: Volunteers (-8.5)
  • Moneyline: Tennessee (-437), South Carolina (+328)
  • Total: 143.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Tuesday at 1:12 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.



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