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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 Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 4, 2026

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South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 4, 2026


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The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 4, 2026, results for each game:

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Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

Evening: 4-3-2, FB: 3

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

Evening: 5-0-6-8, FB: 3

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

Evening: 06

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Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

03-15-21-28-31

Check Palmetto Cash 5 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:

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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.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

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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

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

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

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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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South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Jan. 3, 2026

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South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 4, 2026


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The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 3, 2026, results for each game:

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Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

18-21-40-53-60, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Midday: 1-8-9, FB: 9

Evening: 0-5-1, FB: 0

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Midday: 2-5-1-7, FB: 9

Evening: 3-9-5-0, FB: 0

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Midday: 12

Evening: 07

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Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

02-06-23-25-33

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

28-40-52-53-54, Powerball: 12

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

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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.

SC Education Lottery

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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

1303 Assembly Street

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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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South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 28, 2025

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South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 4, 2026


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The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:

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Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 28 drawing

Evening: 8-4-9, FB: 2

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 28 drawing

Evening: 5-6-2-0, FB: 2

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 28 drawing

Evening: 07

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Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing

03-10-14-21-34

Check Palmetto Cash 5 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:

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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.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

Advertisement

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

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

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

Advertisement

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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