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@ Vanderbilt6:00 PM
ESPN2
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.Shiloh Christian (11)6-01631
2.Conway (3)5-11413
3.Bentonville West (3)6-01302
4.Bentonville5-11194
5.Joe T. Robinson6-01025
6.Searcy6-0816
7.North Little Rock5-1587
8.Springdale Har-Ber4-2358
9.Sheridan6-0269
10.Greenwood4-22410
Others receiving votes: Bryant 15, LR Christian 10, Sylvan Hills 8, Fayetteville 5, Stuttgart 5, Mountain Home 4, Pulaski Academy 3, Farmington 2, Van Buren 2, Benton 1, Jacksonville 1.
CLASS 7A
1.Shiloh Christian (11)6-0771
2.Conway (3)5-1583
3.Bentonville West (3)6-0542
4.Bentonville5-1454
5.North Little Rock5-1125
Others receiving votes: Springdale Har-Ber 6, Bryant 2, LR Christian 1.
CLASS 6A
1.Searcy (16)6-0831
3.Sheridan (1)6-0573
4.Sylvan Hills4-233—
2.Benton3-3292
5.Mountain Home5-1285
Others receiving votes: Van Buren 14, El Dorado 10, Lake Hamilton 1.
CLASS 5A
1.Joe T. Robinson (16)6-0841
2.Greenwood (1)4-2612
3.Farmington6-0453
4.Jacksonville5-1414
5.Little Rock Parkview4-2185
Others receiving votes: Little Rock Mills 4, Greenbrier 1, Hot Springs Lakeside 1.
CLASS 4A
1.Stuttgart (13)6-0781
2.Nashville (2)6-0662
3.Gosnell (1)6-0433
4.Ozark (1)6-0324
5.Elkins5-1215
Others receiving votes: Gravette 7, Fountain Lake 3, Forrest City 2, Lonoke 1, Booneville 1, Arkadelphia 1.

CLASS 3A
1.Bismarck (10)5-1721
3.Mansfield (2)5-2553
2.Smackover5-139—
4.Walnut Ridge (3)5-1244t
Rivercrest5-122—
Others receiving votes: Atkins 17, Newport (1) 11, Fordyce (1) 11, Prescott 4.
CLASS 2A
1.Mount Ida (10)7-0721
2.Baptist Prep (6)6-0682
3.Marked Tree5-1343
4.Earle (1)5-128—
5.Gurdon4-2245
Others receiving votes: Bearden 14, Dierks 10, Bigelow 7, East Poinsett Co. 1.
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Corning (9)6-0311t
2.Cedar Ridge (3)5-0241t
3.Magazine (1)5-0183
Others receiving votes: Izard County 4, Rose Bud 1.