BATON, ROUGE, La. — Arkansas trimmed a seven-point deficit to two with 28 seconds left but Jordan Sears sealed the win for LSU with two free throws with 21 seconds left for a 78-74 victory.
LSU’s overall success at the free throw line played a key role in the win. The Tigers were 26-of-28 at the line, including Cam Carter making all 10 of his, while Arkansas was just 11-of-13 at the stripe.
The game was a series of runs. First, LSU closed the first half and opened the second with a 22-8 run as the Tigers not only took their first lead but went up 40-29. Arkansas answered with an 11-0 run to lead 50-43.
However, LSU bounced back with a 20-3 spurt and led 64:55 with 6:07 left. From there, Boogie Fland scored nine straight points for Arkansas and cut the Razorback deficit to three, 68-65. Then, down seven, Arkansas’ Trevon Brazile made a 3-pointer and Adou Thiero made two free throws to get the Hogs to within two, 76-74.
Sears’ two free throws provided the final score of 78-74. The Tigers’ Daimion Collins blocked Arkansas’ final shot, marking one of 11 blocked shots by the Tigers.
Carter led LSU with 27 points while Sears had 17.
Thiero and Jonas Aidoo each posted double-doubles with 13 points and 10 rebounds from Thiero and 12 points and 10 rebounds from Aidoo. Boogie Fland had a game-high 19 points, including 15 in the second half.
Arkansas stays on the road to play at Mizzou on Saturday (Jan. 18). Tipoff Is set for 5 p.m. and the game will be televised on SEC Network.
FIRST HALF: Arkansas 36, LSU 34
• Arkansas started the game just 1-of-6 from the field and LSU was 0-of-6.
• After scoring first, Arkansas never trailed, but LSU did tie it twice at 13-13 and 16-16.
• After the second tie, Arkansas used a 12-0 run to take its largest lead 28-16.
• LSU was able to stay in the game by going 10-of-10 at the free throw line. Arkansas only took five at the line (making four). LSU also blocked seven shots in the first half.
• Arkansas shot 444% while holding LSU to 34%.
• Johnell Davis led Arkansas with 10 points while Jonas Aidoo had eight points and eight rebounds.
• Cam Carter led LSU with nine points and Dji Bailey had seven boards.
SECOND HALF: LSU 44, Arkansas 38
• LSU shot 46.2% in the second half while Arkansas shot 35.1%.
• Arkansas did out-rebound LSU, 20-18, in the half.
• Cam Carter scored 18 of his 27 in the second half (4-of-8 FG, 2-of-3 3PT and 8-of-8 FT).
• Fland was 3-of-5 from deep in the second half.
GAME NOTES:
• For the sixth-straight game, Arkansas’ starting lineup was Boogie Fland, D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox, Adou Thiero and Jonas Aidoo.
• LSU won the opening tip. It was just the third time this year the Razorbacks have lost the opening tip.
• Karter Knox scored the game’s points with a jumper at the elbow at 16:59.
• Johnell Davis, Trevon Brazile and Zvonimir Ivisic were Arkansas’ first subs.
• Boogie Fland handed out five assists. He has at least five helpers in 12 of his 17 games this year.
• Fland is the only Razorback to score in double figures in all four SEC games.
• LSU’s 11 blocked shots are the most my an opponent since LSU had 12 in Baton Rouge on Feb. 4, 2012.
• For Thiero, it was his third career double-double and second of the season.
• For Aidoo, it was his 11th career double-double and second of the season.
Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.
