GAINESVILLE, Fla. Three players scored in double figures paced by senior Jessica Jackson with a game-high 17 but fourth quarter heroics by the Florida Gators lifted them to the 57-53 Southeastern Conference win in the OConnell Center on Thursday.
Arkansas (13-11, 2-9 SEC) grabbed 16 steals, one shy of the programs single-game record in a conference game and forced a season-best 25 turnovers but the Gators (12-12, 3-8 SEC) hung on for win.
Both teams were cold to begin the game with the Gators finally getting the first basket. The teams combined going 1-for-12 for almost four minutes to start the game. Monk broke up the scoring lapse for Arkansas with a jumper at the 5:26 mark of the first quarter snapping an 0-for-7 start for the Razorbacks.
Sophomore Malica Monk recorded four consecutive steals helping Arkansas finish with a 6-0 run to close the first half with the Razorbacks down two, 23-21, in what was a close game for 40 minutes. The run was part of a 16-7 second quarter for the Razorbacks as they caught back up after a slow start to the game.
The Gators finished the half with six turnovers and no points in the final 2:26 while Arkansas shot 44% on 7-for-16 shooting.
Arkansas started the third quarter where they left off with a steal from Monk and went on a 12-0 run tying the game at 30-all with 6:50 to go. The Gators rallied, finishing the frame on a 9-3 run to lead by one, 39-38, heading into the final quarter.
Arkansas allowed Florida an 11-0 run to start the final frame but still had several chances at the end of the game. Down four with :44 seconds to go, Arkansas had to foul three times to send the Gators to the line. Florida converted the bonus shots to hang on for the win.
Arkansas plays four of its final six regular-season games on the road, remaining away from Bud Walton Arena with a trip to Missouri Sunday.
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