FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. -- In the frigid conditions of Fayetteville, Ark. the Alabama Gymnastics team's floor exercise routines caught fire.

Led by a standout set of floor exercise routines, No. 5 Alabama beat No. 26 ranked Arkansas Lady Razorbacks 197.200 - 194.475 here in Barnhill Arena in front of 5,524 fans. It was the Tide's highest total of the season and a school record for the Ladybacks who are in their first year of competition. The Tide finishes off a four-meet road swing Sunday, the No. 4 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln.

There were 17 freshmen on the floor tonight, 11 coming from Arkansas in its inaugural season, and six from the Tide's roster. Tonight's attendance was the most ever for the Ladybacks. Mile's 9.975 was the highest score on any event in Barnhill. Sophomore Shannon Hrozek won the all-around with a career best 39.325.

"This was an amazing experience, to walk in here tonight, and see 5,524 fans for a program that is three meets old," head coach Sarah Patterson said. "As a fan of women's athletics, it is just great to see the way this new program has been embraced and the success they have in all areas from day one."

Five of the Crimson Tide's six floor routines hit for season high scores, including freshman Ashley Miles' 9.975 which led Alabama to a 49.525 team mark. In addition to Miles' 9.975, sophomore Michelle Reeser and junior Lauren Holdefer both scored 9.9s while sophomore Shannon Hrozek and freshman Mari-Christine Bayer added a pair 9.875s. Junior Stephanie Kite earned a 9.9 from the judges that would have tied her career high, but a one-tenth penalty was taken when she stepped out of bounds on one tumbling pass. Arkansas scored a 48.975 on the floor, it's best total of the night.

"We are getting better each meet," Patterson said. "And tonight we were able to juggle our lineup a bit and give some people an opportunity to get out there in competition and give some of our all-arounders a rest. To be able to do that and post our best score of the season is great."

Alabama posted its outstanding floor exercise score without All-Americans Jeana Rice and Kristin Sterner, who were both getting a breather going into Sunday's meet in Lincoln.

Alabama finished off the night with a solid balance beam rotation, going 49.375. Rice led the Tide, following up her 10.0 against Georgia last weekend with a 9.950 this weekend. Bayer chipped in a 9.900 on the beam while Reeser and freshman Dana Pierce added a pair of 9.85s. Freshman Rachel Delahoussaye made her Crimson Tide debut on the beam, posting a 9.600. Arkansas posted a 48.400 on the beam.

The Tide started things off on the uneven bars, coming away with a 49.125 team score powered by a pair of 9.9s from Rice and Miles. It was a season high for Miles. Miles and Rice led the Tide again on the vault, scoring a 9.9 and 9.875 respectively to lead Alabama to a 49.175. Arkansas posted a 48.500 on the vault and a 48.500 on the bars..

After opening the season with four straight road meets, the Crimson Tide will make their home debut Friday, January 31 against perennial powerhouse Michigan. The meet starts at 7 p.m. and season tickets are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) or online at www.rolltide.com.

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