Razorbacks can’t hold second-half lead against Texas A&M

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Arkansas led for over 31 minutes, compared to Texas A&M leading for five minutes.

But the Razorback offense went cold down the stretch and the No. 25 Aggies claimed a 62-56 victory at Reed Arena.

Texas A&M outscored the Razorbacks 38-23 in the second half, making 4-of-5 from 3-point range, while Arkansas was just 1-of-10 from deep in the final 20 minutes.

Arkansas led by 12 in the final seconds of the first half before A&M hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to go into the locker room down nine, 33-24. The Aggies, which were just 1-of-6 from 3-point range in the first half, made its next five 3-pointers, including the one at the end of the first half.

Texas A&M used a 17-4 run from the end of the first half to earl in the second half to lead 38-37.

Davonte Davis ended the run with a 3-pointer to put the Hogs back in front. Arkansas kept control from that point even though A&M tied the game at 42 and 44. Arkansas pushed the lead to five (49-44) with 9:27 left and led 53-51 with five minutes to play.

Henry Coleman III made two free throws with 4:29 left to tie the game at 53. Arkansas’ defense stayed strong, but its offense only scored three points in the final 5:54.

Wade Taylor IV led A&M with 18 points. He scored 16 in the second half, including a pair of 3-pointers and 11 of the Aggies first 14 points of the second half. Dexter Dennis had a double-double with 14 pints and 11 rebounds.

Anderson Garcia added 10 rebounds, including seven in the second half as the Aggies outrebounded the Razorbacks, 22-13 in the half and 36-33 for the game.

Davis paced Arkansas with 14 points and Makhi Mitchell just missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. Anthony Black also just missed a double-double with nine points and a career-high tying eight assists,

Up next, Arkansas will play back-to-back home games starting with Florida on Saturday.

Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 33, Texas A&M 24

• Arkansas scored a season-high 42 points versus A&M in the first half of the first meeting and 33 tonight, which is the third-most points the Aggies have allowed in a half this season.

• Texas A&M scored first but Arkansas hit back-to-back 3’s and led the rest of the way (game was tied at 11).

• Arkansas took an 11-4 lead, holding A&M to 0-of-10 from the field.

• Arkansas made its last nine field goals in the first half and used a 12-2 run to lead 33-21. However, Hayden Hefner hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the 33-24 halftime score.

• Davonte Davis led Arkansas with 11 points, making 3-of-4 from 3-point range.

• Makhi Mitchell battled foul trouble but had six rebounds.

• Arkansas had 10 assists on 13 made baskets and shot an impressive 52% while holding the Aggies to 29.6% shooting.

• Arkansas won the battle of the boards, 20-14.

Hogs Notes

• Arkansas’ starting lineup was Anthony Black – Davonte Davis – Ricky Council – Makhel Mitchell – Makhi Mitchell for the fifth-straight time, sixth time overall.

• Texas A&M won the tip.

• Wade Taylor IV (Texas A&M) scored the first points, a jumper in the lane at 19:45. Davonte Davis scored the first points from Arkansas, a 3-pointer at 18:48.

• Jordan Walsh was the first Razorback sub.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.

RAZORBACK FOOTBALL

Sat, Sep 5vs North AlabamaW 31-14
Sat, Sep 12@ UtahL, 43-10
Sat, Sep 19GeorgiaL, 45-17
Sat, Sep 26Tulsa7:00 PM
SECN+
Sat, Oct 3@ Texas A&M6:00 PM
ESPN or ESPN2
Sat, Oct 10TennesseeTBA
Sat, Oct 17@ VanderbiltTBA
Sat, Oct 31vs MissouriTBA
Sat, Nov 7@ AuburnTBA
Sat, Nov 14South CarolinaTBA
Sat, Nov 21@ TexasTBA
Sat, Nov 28vs LSUTBA

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

OVERALLRecordPts
1.Bentonville (15)3-01861
2.Conway2-11552
3.Shiloh Christian (2)3-01463
4.Bentonville West (1)3-01324
5.Joe T. Robinson3-01038
6.Searcy3-0837
7.North Little Rock3-0799
6.Bryant (1)0-3526
9.Benton1-3305
10.Fayetteville2-1510
Others receiving votes: Sylvan Hills 12, El Dorado 12, HS Lakeside 8, Springdale Har-Ber 7, Greenwood 6, Stuttgart 5, Pulaski Academy 4, Sheridan 3, Mountain Home 2.
CLASS 7A
1.Bentonville (15)3-0911
2.Conway2-1642
3.Shiloh Christian (2)3-0524
4.Bentonville West (1)3-0493
5.North Little Rock3-0143
Others receiving votes: Bryant (1) 13, Fayetteville 1, Springdale Har-Ber 1.
CLASS 6A
1.Searcy (16)3-0921t
2.Benton (1)1-2591t
3.Sylvan Hills (1)2-1513
4.El Dorado (1)3-0344
5.Mountain Home2-1225
Others receiving votes: Sheridan 19, Van Buren 8.
CLASS 5A
1.Joe T. Robinson (19)3-0951
2.Greenwood1-2542
3.Greenbrier2-1443
5.Farmington3-0354
4.Hot Springs Lakeside (1)2-1305
Others receiving votes: LR Parkview 12, Jacksonville 9, Valley View 6.
CLASS 4A
1.Stuttgart (16)3-0891
2.Nashville (2)3-0673
3.Gosnell (1)3-0324
4.Arkadelphia2-1285t
5.Elkins2-1232
Others receiving votes: Ozark 14, Hamburg 13, Fountain Lake 8, Gravette 7, Bauxite 2, Pottsville 1, Booneville 1.

CLASS 3A
1.Fordyce (16)1-1901
2.Bismarck (1)2-1582
3.Mansfield2-238
4.Rivercrest (1)3-0314
5.Smackover (2)2-1213
Others receiving votes: Glen Rose 19, Walnut Ridge (1) 11, Rison 11, Palestine-Wheatley 4, Newport 2.
CLASS 2A
1.Mount Ida (17)3-0891
2.Baptist Prep (1)3-0553
3.Junction City1-3292
4.Hazen3-026
5.East Poinsett Co.2-1155
Others receiving votes: Poyen 17, Gurdon 14, Bigelow 11, Earle (1) 8, Dierks 7, Marked Tree 6, Hector 2, Des Arc 3, Cross County 2, Bearden 1.
8-MAN SANCTIONED
2.Corning (8)3-0322
1.Cedar Ridge (6)4-0311
3.Izard County3-010
Others receiving votes: Magazine 9, Woodlawn 5, Rose Bud 2, Strong 1.