GAINESVILLE, FLA --- Alabama gymnastics head coach Sarah Patterson knew coming in that tonight's meet with Florida was going to be a challenge, but that's what she wanted.

And that is exactly what she got in a meet that came down to the last competitor for each team. Alabama came up just short of the Gators 196.550-19.350.

"Tonight was a great meet," Patterson said. "It is the second week in a row that we've had a meet come right down to the wire. It's what makes this conference so awesome. Being in a pressure situation on the last event, and that event being the balance beam is going to hold us in good stead come championship season."

Alabama was without five-time All-American Alexis Brion for the meet. The senior struggled in practice this week and wasn't feeling well during warm-ups.

"Alexis was under the weather," Patterson said. "Couple that with an off week in practice, and we decided there was no reason to put her out there and risk injury when I know what she can do. It's what happens in April that counts and we made our decision based on that."

"Give Florida credit," Patterson said. "They're a great team, but I think we showed them that we're going to contend with them down the road."

Junior Ashley Miles won the all-around with a 39.350. The San Antonio, Texas native, in her first year going all-around, has won all three all-arounds she has entered. Florida's Breanne King was second in the all-around with a 39.25 while Tide junior Dana Filetti was third with a career best 39.2.

Miles also scored a 9.95 on the floor exercise to tie the Gator's Savannah Evans for top honors. Freshman Terin Humphrey won the uneven and the balance beam with 9.925s.

Alabama finished off the night with a 48.975, keyed by Humphrey's 9.925 and senior Shannon Hrozek's 9.85. The Gators closed out the night with a 49.375 on the floor exercise.

Alabama posted a 49.325 on the floor exercise keyed by a 9.95 from Miles, again in the anchor spot, and a career best 9.9 from sophomore Erin Rightley. Alabama also got a 9.875 from junior Dana Filetti and a 9.85 from junior Mari-Christine Bayer. And while the Tide was on the floor, Florida turned a 49.075 on the balance beam.

"We made some real steps we made forward tonight on the floor," Patterson said. "Dana Filetti and Erin Rigthley both did new, upgraded tumbling passes and they were rewarded for them."

Miles anchored the Tide's vault lineup with a 9.9, leading them to a 48.925 team score. Hrozek hit a 9.875 on the vault while Filetti and sophomore Brittany Comeux went 9.825 and 9.8 respectively. On the uneven bars, Florida was putting together a 48.750 uneven bars score.

Alabama got off to a shaky start on the uneven bars after a stumble on the landing from Filetti and then a fall on the landing from Hrozek. But the Tide came back strong with a pair of 9.875s from Miles and Bayer and a 9.925 from Humphrey, good for a 49.125 team score. Meanwhile, Florida started the night off with a hot vault set, scoring a 49.400.

Alabama returns to Tuscaloosa for a 7:30 p.m. meet with the Auburn Tigers Friday, Feb. 4. In addition to being the Tide's annual meeting with its in-state rival, it will also be "Target the Cure" night in Coleman Coliseum. Fans of both schools are encouraged to "Think Pink" and "Wear Pink" as the Crimson Tide strives to raise awareness for breast cancer. For tickets, call the Alabama Ticket Office at 205.348.BAMA or online at www.rolltide.com.

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