Gafford’s 27 points paces Hogs over Hoosiers in Sunday matchup

FAYETTEVILLE — Daniel Gafford had a career-high 25 points and tied his career-high with 12 rebounds to lead Arkansas to a 73-72 victory over Indiana on Sunday afternoon at Bud Walton Arena.

With the game tied at 72 with 2.5 seconds left in the game, Mason Jones, who scored 11 with seven assists and no turnovers, made a free throw to give the Razorbacks a one-point lead.

After an Indiana timeout, Jones missed the second free throw on purpose and Indiana’s last-second, full-court heave missed to give the Razorbacks the win.

Arkansas led by three, 72-69, after a Gafford free throw with 1:41 left in the game. Indiana committed a turnover on the ensuing possession and Jones was fouled.

The sophomore missed the front end of a 1-and-1. Hoosier guard Rob Phinisee got the rebound and drained a 3-pointer on the other end to tie the game at 72 with 48 seconds left.

Arkansas missed a jumper with 21 seconds left and Indiana grabbed the rebound. The Hoosiers got two cracks to win the game before Jones came down with a defensive rebound, was fouled and secured the win with his free throw.

In the first half, the teams were deadlocked most of the period with five points being the largest lead held by either team. With the game tied at 35 with 28 seconds left, sophomore Gabe Osabuohien made his first collegiate 3-pointer to give the Razorbacks and a 38-35 lead at the break.

Arkansas is now 126-7 in the Mike Anderson era when leading at the half.

In the second half, Gafford blocked a shot on Indiana’s first possession and capped a 7-0 run to start the second half with a dunk to give the Razorbacks a 10-point lead (45-35) and force an early Hoosier timeout.

Indiana went on a run of its own and took a one-point lead (54-53) with 10:50 left. However, Gafford answered with a jumper.

The Hoosiers took another one-point lead (58-57) with 8:50 remaining only to see Gafford once again answer to give his squad the lead. Indiana grabbed another one-point lead (66-65) with 4:55 to go in the game but Gafford was up to the challenge by making a lay-up.

Gafford then got a steal, which resulted in a Jones lay-up for a 69-66 Razorback advantage.

The Hoosiers tied the game (69-69) with a 3-pointer with 2:16 remaining. Arkansas worked the clock and Jalen Harris found Adrio Bailey for a lay-up with three seconds on the shot clock for a two-point advantage.

Gafford expanded the lead to three with his free throw with 1:41 left to set up the exciting finish.

Arkansas will stay home to host Montana State on Wednesday (Nov. 21) in the Razorbacks’ third game of the Hardwood Showcase. Tip-off is set for 7 pm at Bud Walton Arena.

FIRST HALF NOTES: Arkansas 38 – Indiana 35

• Down five (14-9), Arkansas’ bench – and its defense – sparked an 8-0 run to go up 17-9. Daniel Gafford had two blocks during the run and capped it with a dunk.

• The Razorbacks did not surrender the lead, but Indiana matched them, tying the game at 27-27, 29-29 and 35-35. Isaiah Joe and Mason Jones hit back-to-back 3’s for the Razorbacks to keep them on top.

• After Indiana called timeout and tied the game at 39-39 with a jumper in the lane, Razorback sophomore Gabe Osabuohien drained his first career 3-pointer with 28 ticks left to give Arkansas a 38-35 lead at the break.

SECOND HALF NOTES:

• Arkansas once again used its defense to spur a run as it opened the second half with a 7-0 start to go up 10 (45-35) and force an Indiana timeout. Daniel Gafford had a blocked shot on the Hoosiers’ first possession and later ran the floor on the break for a dunk and the 10-point lead.

• Three times in the second half, Indiana took a one-point lead and Gafford immediately answered each time.

• Daniel Gafford made 9-of-10 shots and scored 19 points with seven rebounds in the second half alone.

GAME NOTES:

• Game was telecast nationally on ESPN.

• Arkansas starters were Isaiah Joe (G) – Jalen Harris (G) – Mason Jones (G) – Adrio Bailey (F) – Daniel Gafford (F).

• Arkansas controlled the tip, but Indiana’s Rob Phinisee scored the basket on an Arkansas goaltending. Daniel Gafford immediately answered with a short jumper.

• Arkansas led 38-35 at halftime. In the Mike Anderson era, Arkansas is 126-7 in games it leads at the half, including 41 consecutive victories.

• Arkansas is 2-1 all-time versus Indiana. This was the first time Arkansas has ever played Indiana in Fayetteville.

• Jalen Harris hit his first 3-pointer as a Razorback at the 15:51 mark of the first half to cut the deficit to one, 7-6.

• Gabe Osabuohien made his first career 3-pointer, connecting with 28 seconds left in the first half for a 38-35 lead at the break.

• Mason Jones is the first Razorback to play at least 35 minutes and record at least seven turnovers while committing no turnovers. The last Razorback to accomplish the feat was Julyses Nobles, who played 35 minutes with seven assists and no turnovers on Jan. 8, 2012.

• Arkansas’ final two games as part of the Hardwood Showcase including hosting Montana State (Nov. 21) and UT Arlington (Nov. 23).