The intensity matched the stakes.
Three-straight losses to end the regular season left the 17-14 Florida Gators (9-9 SEC) in a must-win situation against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Thursday in Nashville, Tennessee.
No. 8-seed Florida bested No. 9-seed Arkansas in the second round of the SEC Tournament behind a suffocating defense and a career-best performance from freshman forward Keyontae Johnson.
The Gators secured a 66-50 win at Bridgestone Arena and added a critical victory to their NCAA resume.
UF advances to the SEC Tournament quarterfinals to face top-seeded LSU on Friday at 1 p.