Mark answers with game-winner to stop Hogs’ losing

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark — Wade Taylor IV, who scored 41 points, hit a 3-pointer with 7.8 seconds left to give Texas A&M its only lead in the game, 77-76. But, after an Aggie timeout, Tramon Mark took the inbounds pass, drove to SEC logo in the lane, pulled up and sank a jumper with 1.1 seconds left for a 78-77 Razorback victory Tuesday night at Bud Walton Arena.

Mark’s game-winner gave him a career-high 35 points, bettering his 34-point performance versus North Carolina earlier this season at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. Mark was 8-of-15 from the field (2-of-3 from 3-point) and had career highs in free throws made (17) and attempts (22). He added five rebounds and tied his career-high with three blocked shots.

Arkansas was up 20 in the first half and led by 14 at halftime. Texas A&M steadily worked the deficit down to three (60-57). From that point, Arkansas had some big plays to keep the lead.

El Ellis (Gunnar Rathbun / Arkansas Communications)

First, El Ellis made a layup and assisted on a Mark 3-pointer to put the Hogs up eight (65-57). Second, Davonte Davis came up with an offensive rebound. It was the only time a Razorback was credited with an offensive rebound in the game (the team finished with three total thanks to two team rebounds). On the play, Davis tapped the ball out to over midcourt and Ellis corralled. Ells then found Davis for a 3-pointer to put Arkansas up 10 (70-60) with 6:03 left. 

The Aggies kept cutting into their deficit and were down four (74-70) with 1:25 remaining. Jace Carter made two free throws and Taylor sank a driving layup with 50 ticks left to tie the game. Mark would go 1-of-2 at the line to put Arkansas back in front by one. Arkansas got a stop on the ensuing possession and Mark once again went 1-of-2 at the line for a two-point cushion (76-74).

That set-up Taylor’s off-balance 3-pointer from the top of the key for a one-point Aggie lead. Then, Texas A&M only held that lead for six seconds – its only time leading in the game – before Mark’s game-winner.

In addition to Mark, Ellis scored 15 points, going 8-of-8 from the line, and he tied his career-high with six rebounds. Davis added six boards while Travon Brazile and Chandler Lawson each had five rebounds.

Taylor did score a career-high 41 points but took 32 shots to do so. He was 13-of-32 from the field overall (5-of-14 from 3-point) and was 10-of-13 at the line. No other player from A&M scored more than 10 points.

Arkansas returns to Bud Walton Arena on Saturday, hosting South Carolina. Tipoff is set for Noon and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.

Razorbacks’ Game Notes

• Arkansas starters were El Ellis, Davonte Davis, Tramon Mark, Trevon Brazile and Chandler Lawson.

• Arkansas controlled the tip to start the game.

• Chandler Lawson scored the first points of the game with a jumper in the lane at 18:35.

• Keyon Menifield Jr., was the first Razorback sub.

• Arkansas scored 46 first-half points. It was the second-most points scored in the first half this season as the Hogs scored 48 in wins over UNCW and Gardner-Webb. It was the sixth time to score at least 40 points in the first half this season. Arkansas is 6-0 in such games

• Texas A&M is Arkansas’ most common opponent. This was the 168th meeting. Arkansas leads 107-61 all-time and 12-10 since A&M joined the SEC for the 2012-13 season. Arkansas leads 62-15 in games played in Fayetteville and 10-1 versus the Aggies in Bud Walton Arena since 2012-13.

• Arkansas scored first, opened with a 6-0 lead and led 17-3 to start the game. Texas A&M made a free throw at 15:51 but did not score a field goal until the 14:25 mark.

• Arkansas was out-rebounded 47-35 as A&M had 19 offensive boards. The Aggies entered the game leading the NCAA in offensive rebounding. However, Arkansas had 35 defensive rebounds compared to A&M’s 28 defensive.

• Arkansas held A&M to 28.9% shooting in the first half and 32.4% for the game.

• Arkansas shot 53.8% from the field in the first half and just 24.0% in the second to finish 39.2%. Arkansas is 2-2 this season when shooting below 40% from the field.

• Texas A&M only committed two turnovers, but Arkansas only had eight.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.