Razorbacks come up short against No. 1 Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. — In a game where neither led by more than nine points, top-ranked Auburn went 6-of-6 from the free-throw line over the final 1:15 to hold on for a 67-60 victory over Arkansas on Wednesday night at Neville Arena.
AUBURN, Ala. — In a game where neither led by more than nine points, top-ranked Auburn went 6-of-6 from the free-throw line over the final 1:15 to hold on for a 67-60 victory over Arkansas on Wednesday night at Neville Arena.
Arkansas, which led 58-57 with 3:06 to play, made several runs at the Tigers (24-2 overall, 12-1 in Southeastern Conference play) but Auburn was able to pull out the win.
After making just one of its first 11 3-point baskets, Arkansas got on track when D.J. Wagner drilled a triple to get the Hogs (15-11, 4-9) to within three points at 37-34. Then, Karter Know hit a 3-pointer from the right corner to tie the game at 37-all. However, Auburn answered with a 6-0 run.
Arkansas was down four but committed back-to-back turnovers and Auburn took a 49-41 lead.
Johnell Davis put the Razorbacks on his back. He hit a jumper in the lane and, after getting a steal, had a dunk. Then, he was fouled shooting a 3-pointer. He made 2-of-3 and the Hogs trailed by two points at 57-55 with 4:22 to play.
Arkansas got another stop and Adou Thiero, on an offensive rebound, was fouled. He made 1-of-2 at the line to make it a one-point game at 57-56.
Arkansas got another defensive stop, and Davis made a layup with 3:06 to play to give Arkansas its 58-57 lead.
Chad Baker-Mazara immediately put Auburn back on top with a lay-up. Johni Broom added a lay-up and Baker-Mazara hit two free throws for a 6-0 run and 6358 lead.
Adou Thiero cut the Razorback deficit to three points at 63-60 with two free throws with 1:01 left.
Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones each sank a pair of free throws inside the final minute to give Auburn the 67-60 victory.
Broom led Auburn with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Baker-Mazara had 15 points and Chaney Johnson finished with 14 points.
Arkansas was led by Thiero’s 16 points. Davis added 14 points, four assists and three steals. Wagner scored 11 points and had five assists.
Auburn outrebounded Arkansas 4229 but Arkansas stayed in the game with 10 steals and five blocked shots. The Tigers were 13-of-17 at the freethrow line compared to Arkansas being 7-of-14.
Arkansas will return to Fayetteville to entertain No. 15 Missouri at 7 p.m. Saturday at Bud Walton Arena. During the game, the 1990 Razorbacks’ Final Four team will be celebrated.
