Strong second half lifts Razorbacks over Texas in Lone Star Shootout

HOUSTON — Daryl Macon scored a career-high 23 points, and Arkansas fought off Texas for its sixth straight win, 77-74, on Saturday.

Macon, whose previous career high was 17 against Houston on Dec. 6, made all 14 of his free throws to lead the Razorbacks, who were 29 of 31 from the line.

Dusty Hannahs added 15 points and Jaylen Barford had 11 for Arkansas (9-1), which won nine of its first 10 games for the second time in the last seven years.

Tevin Mack had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Andrew Jones added 17 points and Kerwin Roach, Jr., had 12 points for the Longhorns (5-5), who shot 19 of 32 from the free-throw line. Jarrett Allen had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Texas.

Trailing by nine, the Longhorns used a 9-2 spurt to cut the lead to 73-71 with 41 seconds left on a Jones free throw. But Arlando Cook hit two free throws with 38 seconds remaining, and Roach missed a layup on the other end before Macon hit two free throws to push the lead to six.

Mack nailed a 3 with 16 seconds left to cut the Razorbacks’ lead to three, and Texas forced an Arkansas turnover on the inbounds, but Roach’s 3-pointer at the buzzer was short.

Texas took a 35-30 lead into halftime behind eight points each from Mack and Jones.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Arkansas: The Razorbacks overcame sluggish shooting in the first half, hitting 27 percent from the field, including 1 of 9 from behind the arc. Arkansas shot 46 percent in the second half. The Razorbacks got their first win over a Power 5 conference team this season.

Texas: The Longhorns continued to struggle on the road this season, falling to 0-4 away from Austin. Texas played good defense, forcing the Razorbacks into 36 percent shooting, but the Longhorns got four points from their bench.

UP NEXT

Arkansas: Hosts North Dakota State Tuesday and Sam Houston State Thursday before starting SEC play against Florida on Dec. 29.

Texas: Hosts UAB Wednesday and Kent State Dec. 27 before starting Big 12 play Dec. 30 at Kansas State.