Florida outlasts Arkansas 68-61 in SEC Tourney

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Kasey Hill scored 18 points, including a clutch layup with 53 seconds remaining that helped eighth-seeded Florida outlast No. 9 seed Arkansas 68-61 Thursday in the Southeastern Conference tournament.

The Gators led 55-46 with 6:45 remaining before the Razorbacks rallied within 60-59 with 1:07 left on Dusty Hannah's layup. Hill then sliced through for a layup to provide some breathing room, and Florida (19-13) added six unanswered points to seal a victory it needed to rebuild its NCAA Tournament resume'.

Florida shot just 39 percent and made just 18 of 30 from the foul line. But the Gators came up with the timely free throw, basket or rebound they needed to advance to Friday's quarterfinal against top-seeded Texas A&M.

Dorian Finney-Smith had 13 points and KeVaughn Allen 11 for Florida.

Hannahs scored a career-high 33 points for Arkansas (16-16), which shot 36 percent.

Associated Press