Florida could've wilted against Arkansas, especially in the face of a virtuoso performance from white-hot Dusty Hannahs. Instead, on Thursday at the SEC Tournament, the Gators stood tall, closing for a 68-61 victory that preseves their NCAA Tournament hopes for at least one more day.
Kasey Hill scored 18 points, a season high and two off his career high, and John Egbunu had eight points and nine rebounds despite a brace on his right hand, as the Gators weathered Hannahs' 33 points and a late run by the Razorbacks.
Hill was Florida's most consistent source of offense, driving and finishing at a better rate than usual, and Dorian Finney-Smith had all of his 13 points in the second half — including two crucial free throws in the final minute — to keep the Gators from gagging away a lead they held for the entire second half.