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 26TulsaW 34-6
Sat, Oct 3@ Texas A&ML, 34-7
Sat, Oct 10TennesseeL, 24-17
Sat, Oct 17@ VanderbiltW 31-21
Sat, Oct 31vs MissouriL, 34-10
Sat, Nov 7@ Auburn11:45 AM
SEC Network
Sat, Nov 14South Carolina6:45 PM
SEC Network
Sat, Nov 21@ TexasAfternoon
2:30-3:30 PM
Sat, Nov 28vs LSUEarly Kickoff
11:00 AM-Noon

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

OVERALLRecordPts
1.Conway (13)8-11801
2.Shiloh Christian (4)8-11542
3.Bentonville (2)8-11383
4.Joe T. Robinson9-01205
5.North Little Rock8-11096
6.Sheridan9-0807t
7.Bentonville West7-2737t
8.Springdale Har-Ber6-3664
9.Greenwood7-2519
10Van Buren8-119—
Others receiving votes: Bryant 17, Benton 8, LR Christian 8, Mountain Home 6, Stuttgart 5, Searcy 4, LR Mills 2, Nashville 2, Rogers 2, Farmington 1.
CLASS 7A
1.Conway (13)8-1851
2.Shiloh Christian (4)8-1692
3.Bentonville (2)8-1554
4.North Little Rock8-1395
5.Springdale Har-Ber6-3183
Others receiving votes: Bentonville West 15, Bryant 4.
CLASS 6A
1.Sheridan (19)9-0951
2.Benton6-3563
3.Van Buren8-1544t
4.Searcy7-2394t
5.Mountain Home (2)7-2381
Others receiving votes: Sylvan Hills 2, Lake Hamilton 1.
CLASS 5A

1.
Joe T. Robinson (18)9-0941
2.Greenwood (1)7-2762
3.Little Rock Mills8-140
—
4.Farmington8-1294
5.Jacksonville7-2233
Others receiving votes: LR Mills 8, HS Lakeside 4, Greenbrier 1.
CLASS 4A
1.Stuttgart (17)8-0771
2.Nashville (2)8-0642
3.Ozark8-0373
4.Elkins7-1194
5.Lonoke7-114—
Others receiving votes: Southside Batesville 9, Fountain Lake 9, Gravette 5, Highland 4, Arkadelphia 1.

CLASS 3A
1.Mansfield (11)8-2771
2.Prescott (3)8-1664
3.Fordyce (2)6-232—
4.Atkins (1)8-128—
5.Smackover7-2233
Bismarck7-2235
Others receiving votes: Walnut Ridge 19, Newport (2) 14, Rivercrest 2, Lake Village 1.
CLASS 2A
1.Baptist Prep (9)9-0832
2.Mount Ida (10)9-0801
3.Earle8-1503
4.Gurdon7-2404
5.Marked Tree7-2265
Others receiving votes: Magnet Cove 2, Des Arc 2, Hazen 2.
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Corning (7)7-0291
Cedar Ridge (4)8-0292
3.Magazine (3)8-0223
Others receiving votes: Izard County 3.