Razorbacks never lead Baylor, falling 72-67 in Dallas staying close

DALLAS — No. 16 Arkansas never led, but stayed within striking distance of No. 8 Baylor only to see the Bears hold on for a 72-67 victory Saturday night at American Airlines Center.

Down nine at halftime, Arkansas opened the second half with an 11-2 run to tie the contest at 44. However, Baylor answered with back-to-back 3-pointers and held the advantage the rest of the way.

The Bears opened up an 11-point lead with 11:18 to play. The Razorbacks kept battling and later used a 6-0 run to trim their deficit to three, 63-60. Arkansas also trailed by just three two more times (with 2:33 left and 24 seconds left). Arkansas was forced to foul with 14 seconds remaining and V.J. Edgecombe sank both free throws to secure the five-point win.

Baylor was led by Norchard Omier, who recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Four other Bears scored in double figures.

Arkansas was led by Adou Thiero’s 24 points and six rebounds. Boogie Fland added 17 points and seven assists.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 33 – Baylor 42

• Baylor scored first and held the lead the entire first half.

• Arkansas missed its first nine 3-pointers until Adou Thiero sank a triple with 6:10 left in the period to cut the deficit to 28-22.

• Down 11, Arkansas turned up the defensive pressure and went on a 9-0 run to make it a two-point game, 33-31. Boogie Fland hit two free throws and, after a steal, drained a 3-pointer to cap the run.

• Baylor answered with a 6-0 run. The teams traded baskets, including an alley-oop dunk by Trevon Brazile from Karter Knox, before Jeremy Roach sank a 3-pointer with seven ticks left to give the Bears a nine-point lead at the break.

• Baylor shot 50% from the field in the period and Arkansas made just 37% if its shots.

• Arkansas committed eight turnovers with four coming inside the final 3:21 of the half.

• Adou Thiero led the Razorbacks with 10 points and Fland added nine.

• Roach and Jayden Nunn each had 10 to lead Baylor.

SECOND HALF: Arkansas 34 – Baylor 30

• Thiero scored 14 of his 24 in the second half.

• Arkansas improved its shooting to 46.4% in the period while holding Baylor to 42.3%.

GAME NOTES:

• Arkansas won the opening tip.

• Baylor’s Norchard Omier scored the game’s first points, a layup at19:29. Boogie Fland scored Arkansas’ first points, a floater at 17:41. It is the second game in a row Fland has scored Arkansas’ first points

• Karter Knox was Arkansas’ first sub.

• Baylor is Arkansas’ fourth most common opponent. Tonight was the 146th all-time dating back to the Razorbacks’ first season of basketball (1923-24). Teams Arkansas has played more are Texas A&M at 169 times, Texas and Rice at 155.

• Arkansas leads the all-time series 96-50, but Baylor has won each of the last four meetings.

• Arkansas is 4-2 versus Baylor in Dallas and 24-14 all-time versus opponents in neutral games in Dallas. Arkansas falls to 2-3 all-time in Dallas’ American Airline Center.