Arkansas may be better than what their record shows, but still can’t manage to close out a win over a ranked team.
The Razorbacks fell to No. 1 Auburn on Wednesday night, 67-60, and it wasn’t because of bad shooting, turnovers or any of the usual excuses coaches offer.
“It was that missed rebound that killed us,” Hogs coach John Calipari said later.
With 35 seconds left in the game and the Tigers holding a 63-60 lead, the guy many think is the best player in the country, Johnie Broome, missed a layup. The Tigers out-fought the Razorbacks for the rebound, got fouled, made a pair of free throws and the game was over for all intents and purposes.
“That’s why I’m saying you don’t have to make shots, but fight, come up with balls,” Calipari said. “Don’t give me an excuse. He out-worked you. That’s what we’ve had happen. The game-winning rebound, they seamed Alabama, got it and laid it in. Same thing just happened here. It’s the game-winning rebound.”
In a game where neither led by more than nine points, Auburn went 6-of-6 from the free throw line over the final 1:15 to hold on for the win.
Arkansas, which led 58-57 with 3:06 to play, made several runs at the Tigers but Auburn was able to pull out the win.
After making just one of its first 11 3-pointers, Arkansas got on track when D.J. Wagner drilled a triple to get the Hogs to within three (37-34). Then, Karter Know hit a 3-pointer from the right corner to tie the game at 37-37. However, Auburn answered with a 6-0 run.
Arkansas was down four but committed back-to-back turnovers and Auburn took a 49-41 lead.
Johnell Davis put the Razorbacks on his back. He hit a jumper in the lane and, after getting a steal, had a dunk. Then, he was fouled shooting a 3-pointer. He made 2-of-3 and the Hogs trailed by two (57-55) with 4:22 to play.
Arkansas got another stop and Adou Thiero, on an offensive rebound, was fouled. He made 1-of-2 at the line to make it a one-point game (57-56).
Arkansas got another defensive stop and Davis made a layup with 3:06 to play to give Arkansas its 58-57 lead.
Chad Baker-Mazara immediately put Auburn back on top with a layup. Johni Broom added a layup and Baker-Mazara hit two free throws for a 6-0 run and 63-58 lead. Adou Thiero cut the Razorback deficit to three (63-60) with two free throws with 1:01 left.
Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones each sank a pair of free throws inside the final minute to give Auburn the 67-60 victory.
Broome led Auburn with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Baker-Mazara had 15 points and Chaney Johnson finished with 14 points.
Arkansas was led by Adou Thiero’s 16 points. Johnell Davis added 14 points, four assists and three steals. D.J. Wagner scored 11 points and had five assists.
Auburn outrebounded Arkansas 42-29 but Arkansas stayed in the game with 10 steals and five blocked shots. The Tigers were 13-of-17 at the free throw line compared to Arkansas being 7-of-14.
Arkansas returns to Fayetteville to host #15/16 Missouri on Saturday at 7 pm. During the game, the 1990 Razorbacks’ Final Four team will be celebrated.
FIRST HALF: Auburn 33, Arkansas 27
• The first half featured four ties and nine lead changes.
• With Arkansas up four (21-17) with 6:43 left, Auburn went on an 11-0 run to lead 28-21.
• Arkansas shot 42.9% from the field despite going 1-of-9 from 3-point range and just 2-of-6 at the free throw line.
• Auburn was held to 38.7% shooting but out-rebounded Arkansas 23-15.
• Arkansas had five steals and forced seven Auburn turnovers.
• The Razorbacks blocked four shots while Auburn, the nation’s leader in blocked shots, had zero.
• Adou Thiero led Arkansas with seven points while Johnell Davis and D.J. Wagner each added six.
• Johni Broom led Auburn with eight points and seven rebounds.
