BasketBlog: Auburn

3:09 p.m. — Final Arkansas 82, Auburn 79. Remember, you can watch the postgame press conference live on RazorVision. Good afternoon from Fayetteville.

3:08 p.m. — Arkansas hosts LSU next Wednesday here at Walton Arena. Tomorrow afternoon, women’s basketball hosts Kentucky at 2 p.m.

3:07 p.m. — Razorbacks now lead the SEC West with the win as they go to 12-11 on the season. Miss State’s loss at UF combined with the Razorback win puts Pel in the driver’s seat.

3:06 p.m. — Auburn inbounds to Sullivan, he gets stuttered by Clarke and loses his momentum, now has to turn and just heave a half-court shot. It’s on line, hits the side rim, but then falls out. HOGS WIN IN OVERTIME.

3:05 p.m. — Fortson has now scored 10 of Arkansas last 11 points in the OT.

3:04 p.m. — Fortson has made one of two; and Arkansas calls its final time out.

3:03 p.m. — Tigers miss and lose the inbounds. That’s a spot inbound. Arkansas forgets and makes the turnover. Auburn quickly gets it in for a three-pointer from Waller. Fortson fouled and to the line for two shots. 81-79 with 4.2 left to play.

3:01 p.m. — Quick foul before the ball inbounds, Tigers send Clarke to the line for two shots as that’s the team 10th for Auburn. He gets one of two.

3:01 p.m. — Arkansas is shooting 83% in the overtime — missing a single three-pointer — and perfect at the line; 80-76 with 15.7 left.

2:59 p.m. — Sullivan drains a three-pointer from Leroy Pond Drive. 80-76 Arkansas with 15.7 left. Auburn calls its final time out. Washington limps from the floor into the team tunnel.

2:59 p.m. — Fortson hits both. Then gets the steal, and the coast-to-coast layup.

2:58 p.m. — Tigers hit the front of the rim, and Fortson proceeds to kill clock. Tigers finally foul him with 40.6 left.

2:57 p.m. — Another long two-pointer for Fortson, 76-73.

2:56 p.m. — TV extends the 30-second time out by Auburn into a full media break.

2:54 p.m. — Tigers get the inside layup from Hargrove to cut the lead to one, 74-73, at 1:52 and call a time out. Each team has one left for the rest of this first overtime.

2:53 p.m. — Auburn now collapsing on Powell, Fortson and Powell play the Tigers for the inside out, Fortson doesn’t have a player within 10 feet, easy three-pointer, 74-71.

2:53 p.m. — Pair of free throws for Auburn countered by an inside layup from Powell, 71-71.

2:50 p.m. — Bounce dish to Powell gives Arkansas first lead of OT, 69-67. Tigers tie it up, 69-69.

2:47 p.m. — Reed brings it up court against man pressure, works for a three-point shot that is very deep from Waller, the rebound caroms almost into the Auburn bench. 4 seconds left. Another long heave comes up short. Stat monitor now giving the bucket to Malone that sends us to overtime.

2:44 p.m. — . . . Kiss the glass and take the lead, 67-65. Arkansas takes its final time out with 14.1 on the clock. This is a full 60.

2:44 p.m. — Shot clock is off, Fortson brings it up the court slowly. He eyes the Tigers. Waits. Waits. Waits. Breaks for the goal with 14 seconds left, drives down the left side of the lane, hangs in the air, flicks the ball with his outside hand. . . .

2:44 p.m. — Nobody sits as Auburn goes up court, Reed takes it inside, gets picked, ball to Arkansas.

2:43 p.m. — 58.3 left to play, 65-65, and Auburn will now try to inbound again. Arkansas showing the FCP again, Tigers are free to run the baseline. Here we go.

2:41 p.m. — Pel gets the Hogs to take it downtown for Powell. He gets it, and Knox’s 5th foul. FT is good and we are tied. 65-65, FCP from Arkansas, Tigers having trouble, a pick on Fortson sends him tumbling — a time out signaled from the Auburn bench.

2:40 p.m. — Foot on the line for Waller, two-pointer makes it a three-point game, 65-62. Lebo calls time out for Auburn. Tigers now have 1+1 left, UA has the one 60.

2:39 p.m. — Tigers seem to be working the shot clock down, now 1:27 left after a fresh 35 thanks to a foul on Johnson.

2:38 p.m. — Both sides miss three-point attempts.

2:37 p.m. — Since leaving the game with an apparent ankle injury around the seven minute mark, Washington has had his left shoe off, he’s hobbling on it in the final media time out.

2:37 p.m. — Fortson, Powell with 12; Welsh, Britt 11; Hogs down one, 63-62, final media TO; AU +4 reb, UA +2 TOs; both appx 43% FG; Washington is out.

2:34 p.m. — Tay Waller trey gives Auburn back the lead, 63-62. We’re under 3 to play.

2:33 p.m. — Pel was setting his press with the time out, Hogs drop back into 2-3. Hargrove finds a seam along the baseline and makes the reverse from under the glass, 62-60 Arkansas.

2:31 p.m. — Fortson takes a hard tumble, slow to get up; rushes in to contest shot. Push off on UA on the other end, Hogs bring it up court. Patient work delivers a wide, wide, wide open shot for Clarke. That’s money in the bank and Hogs take 62-58 lead with 4:08. Pelphrey calls a timeout after the make. Arkansas has one time out left to call; AU 1+2.

2:30 p.m. — Roar again, stops for Britt foul; returns. Hargrove scoops up a loose rebound, Arkansas 59-58.

2:29 p.m. — Fortson pushes the pace, Powell takes the end of the fast break to the rack. Hargrove goes in for the hard foul, and picks up his fourth. Coach Lebo sends in Knox, who’s been out with four. Tigers are now all-in as Hogs make both FTs, 59-56, 5:20.

2:28 p.m. — Mike Washington getting attention on the bench for his right ankle. His shoe is off and he’s icing his high ankle area.

2:27 p.m. — The noise in Walton is starting to hurt; it only stops now when the official’s whistle interrupts.

2:27 p.m. — Cox strikes again with a big defensive play, foricing the turnover; Fortson takes advantage with the layup to put Arkasnas ahead, 57-56.

2:22 p.m. — Powell doesn’t let that hamper him as he goes inside, draws the foul and takes us the a media timeout. Hogs back within two with one to go for Powell.

2:19 p.m. — Powell gets his third; only 3 team for UA. But that’s 3 each on Arkansas’ starting big men.

2:18 p.m. — Knox and Washington tie up, the foul is on Knox, his fourth. He’ll head to the bench with 9:23 to play. 5th team foul for AU.

2:18 p.m. — Welsh ends the run coming out of the time out, 54-51 Auburn 9:51.

2:16 p.m. — Another Auburn three-pointer puts Tigers up 54-49; Pel calls a time out. Both teams have 1 full and 2 30s left to call. Auburn on 7-0 run, 14-3 for the long trend.

2:14 p.m. — Fortson leading team at this time with 10 points.

2:11 p.m. — Tay Waller’s trey (come on, say it out loud — pretty good, huh?) puts Auburn back up, 50-49. Washington draws his third foul on the other end and takes us to a media time out at 10:44.

2:10 p.m. — Powell’s fall-away baseline jumper stops the Auburn run, 49-47 Arkansas at 12:10.

2:09 p.m. — Reed’s three-pointer, his 5th straight point for Auburn, gives the Tigers a 7-1 run to tie the game at 47-47; Pel calls time out at 12:28.

2:05 p.m. — Reed’s fast break layup gives Auburn a 4-0 run. Washington hammered inside for Harper’s third. He gets none, but Fortson gets the rebound. Cox and Britt go in — four guards and big man now with Washington. Fortson’s fouled, gets one of two; 47-44 Arkansas 13:30.

2:04 p.m. — OK, two field goals, but only by the grace of Mike Washington touching the rim on a clear Auburn miss just now, bucket snaps Arkansas short scoring run, now 46-42.

2:02 p.m. — Auburn has one field goal in the second half, and its a 19-4 run for the past 11:01 dating back to the close of the first half.

2:02 p.m. — Hogs now the team with the touch, 50% for game to 39.5% for AU; second half only — 80% to 16%; Hogs up 46-40, 15:39

1:59 p.m. — Physical game continues on both ends of the floor; patience to work it inside pays off; 46-40 as we go to media timeout at 15:39.

1:56 p.m. — Aubie gets a hairball as the Walton crowd comes to life; time out taken by Jeff Lebo and the four-point lead, 44-40, seems a lot larger, at 16:40.

1:55 p.m. — Exchange of buckets moves us to 40-40, Powell hits one of two and Arkansas is back ahead, 41-40. It’s been 13-4 with Auburn the past 8:00; OH MY, make that 16-4 as Clarke rains it down from the left corner.

1:53 p.m. — Pel back to Washington-Powell tandem inside, and working hard from the perimeter to get the ball inside. It was the Johnson and the four guards lineup at the close of the first half that picked up the defensive pace on Auburn.

1:52 p.m. — Second half begins with an AU turnover and Marshawn Powell reverse layup to tie the game at 38-38.

1:50 p.m. — Student crowd holding up the sign "Old People Make Noise!" Auburn will inbound to start the second half.

1:43 p.m. — Six minutes to second half.

1:41 p.m. — Marty, Brandon’s brother, and Brandon’s mom, recognized before the UA students introduced. Seth Armbrust is the football player chosen as the Burlesworth Scholar — the walk-on who has earned a scholarship, not unlike Brandon.

1:39 p.m. — Pom squad followed by UA Chancellor Dr. G. David Gearhardt and the presentation of the Brandon Burlesworth Memorial Scholarship. Each year, one walk-on football player and 15 other UA students receive $5K scholarships. This is the 11th class of Burlesworth Scholars. Jim Lindsey and Stanley Reed recognized for their work in organizing golf tournaments to fund the scholarships.

1:38 p.m. — Two teams end half at 44% each way in FG; UA big adv on FT; +1 reb to Aub; +2 turnovers to UA; Tigers 6 3pt to only 3 3pt for UA.

1:36 p.m. — Razorback pom squad opens halftime with a salute to Madonna.

1:34 p.m. — Razorbacks make the defensive stand, and look like they will get last shot of half. A wild pass forces Fortson near midcourt, and the officials say he stepped on it. Auburn gets three seconds to try something, can’t get the shot off in time. A boisterous departure for the officials from the crowd. Tigers lead 38-36 at half.

1:31 p.m. — Time out allowed Arkansas to set it’s D, and Welsh gets another steal. A whole lotta contact on the other end as the ball goes out of bounds, but stays with Arkansas. Hogs inbound, and a jump ball. Another inbounds. Johnson takes it inside, the Tigers pounce and Knox gets the foul. The basket is . . . . GOOOOOD. Johnson with the three-point play chance at 45.4, in and out. 38-36 Auburn.

1:30 p.m. — Arkansas’ defense held Auburn scoreless for 5:29 to close the gap; time out now by Auburn with 1:05 in the first.

1:29 p.m. — Knox rolls one in for Auburn’s first points since 7:03; four-point AU lead, 38-34 as we approach the final minute.

1:28 p.m. — For a game that’s seen only five points (all UA) in the last five mintues of clock, as you might expect, it’s been very physcial.

1:27 p.m. — Fortson’s drive brings the crowd to its feet, the loudest we’ve heard Walton this year. It’s a 6-0 run (4-0 recently) and Auburn’s lead to three. Tigers trying to be patient, but Welsh picks a perimeter pass.

1:25 p.m. — Welsh breaks the scoring drought for both teams with a pair of FTs, now 36-30 Auburn. Razorbacks open with pressure, then fall back to a 2-3 zone. Tigers flustered offensively, get another chance with an aggressive rebound. Turnover gives it back to Arkansas.

1:23 p.m. — And we go to the final media time out of the first half and neither team has scored since the last break. Still 36-29, but now 3:58 left.

1:21 p.m. — Neither team able to regain offensive momentum the past two minutes of clock time.

1:19 p.m. — Fortson to the line for 1-and-1, first FT miss today for Hogs. Team fouls are 8-4 against Auburn.

1:18 p.m. — Tigers shooting better from the field, 59.1%, than from the free throw line, 57.1%.

1:17 p.m. — Washington come from nowhere for a crowd-inspiring block of Lett’s 10-foot jumper; ball back to Auburn.

1:16 p.m. — Welsh, Britt leading Arkansas with 6; Sullivan 11 for AU; TIgers up 36-29 at 6:29 3rd media TO; Hogs 44% from field, but Aubie is 62%. Tigers are balanced with six 3pt, 7 inside in their 13-21. Hogs 10-23 overall, but only 3-6 from behind arc. Arkansas is perfect at the line so far, 6-6. Auburn struggling at the line, 57.1%.

1:14 p.m. — I’m pretty sure Stephen Cox never took a hit like that guarding the flag for the Razorback golf team. The player control foul on Auburn takes us to the third media time out.

1:13 p.m. — Auburn trying the same whip-around and spread; one penetration and kick out draws the ire of the crowd thinking there were extra steps. Tigers pick up another three from Waller; Britt another layup, 36-29, Auburn.

1:12 p.m. — Pel goes quick and small with Cox and Johnson in; Washington and Powell out. Four guards and Johnson allows Arkansas to spread and Britt finds a seam for an easy layup, 33-27.

1:10 p.m. — Brendan Knox has come off the bench for Auburn to give the Tigers presence; he heads to the bench and on the inbounds, Fortson immediately attacks the lane. He’ll draw the foul from Armstrong, the Tigers’ sixth team foul, and go to the line. Fortson hits both, Auburn up 31-24, 8:24.

1:08 p.m. — Reed earns the three shot foul as Powell bumps the Tiger three-point shooter to the hardwood. He gets two of three, but Tigers get the offensive rebound and eventually a short put-back from Knox, 29-23, Auburn.

1:08 p.m. — Welsh stops the Tiger run with a wide open three, 27-23.

1:07 p.m. — Sullivan gets another three-pointer, but Farmer makes him pay for it. Sullivan first to double digits today as Tigers get their largest lead so far at five, 25-20. Hargrove adds a layup, make that seven, 27-20, at 9:47.

1:04 p.m. — Seesaw battle at 2nd TO, AU 19-18 at 11:46; Clarke leads UA with 5, Washington 4; Waller 7 for AU; UA 47% FG, AU 56% FG; UA 9-5 on boards. Get the sense the rebounds will become a big factor today. Auburn still working the outside, and if their FG% doesn’t continue to hold up, Arkansas can break away. Hogs made great improvement on their shots since previous media timeout.

1:01 p.m. — Washington scores his first dunk of the day as Arkansas regains the lead, 18-17.

12:59 p.m. — Tigers fail at free throw line, and begin to make mistakes against Arkansas’ defense pressure; Stef Welsh makes Aubie pay with a big 3pter, 16-15.

12:58 p.m. — Tigers lead 15-13 at first media TO, 13:38; Clarke leads UA with 5; AU hitting 56% and most points from behind the arc; UA 39%, only 1 3pt.

12:56 p.m. — Clarke’s long jumper cuts it back to 15-13, and we head to the first media time out.

12:55 p.m. — Lucas Hargrove gets the rebound and goes the distance for Auburn, grumbles as Tigers go to 15-11.

12:55 p.m. — First two-pointer of the game for the Tigers on a layup from Knox, 13-11 AU; Tigers had only taken three inside shots to that point.

12:53 p.m. — Britt’s two puts Arkansas up 9-8, but a Reed three-pointer returns the lead to Auburn, 11-9; Fortson ties it up at 11-11.

12:52 p.m. — Razorbacks’ man defense yields a turnover with a steal for Britt, and a foul by Auburn. Hogs up 7-5 at 17:00.

12:51 p.m. — If you are looking for live video, ESPN360 has the game again today for the SEC.

12:50 p.m. — Clarke gets the three and brings the crowd to its feet; Tay Waller counters for Auburn and we’re tied again, 5-5.

12:48 p.m. — Sullivan takes it inside to draw contact with Mike Washington. The crowd thought he was pretty verticle; Coach Pel was quite animated but two shots for Auburn, we’re tied at 2-2.

12:48 p.m. — Auburn opens with zone, Powell makes them pay with a clean trey, 3-0 UA. Oops, foot on line, it’s a deuce, 2-0 Arkansas.

12:47 p.m. — Hogs get the tip, but first possession ends in a jump ball. Ball back to Auburn.

12:46 p.m. — Another reminder of the SEC video streaming rules — institution websites only get games untelevised. Like the Ole Miss game due to the WX change last week or non-conference games.

12:45 p.m. — Band takes over to vamp the crowd while TV gets ready, a 12:47 tip for SEC Network.

12:44 p.m. — The Basketball Palace of Mid-America feels like it’s old self today. The Razorback Nation has come out in full force for Pel’s team.

12:42 p.m. — Today’s student signs: Who Cares (Hargrove), Who’s She (Lett), He’s Cute (Waller), What’s that Smell (Sullivan), Big Deal (Reed), Nice Hair (Coach Lebo).

12:41 p.m. — Media section is packed, and the baseline photo wells are full. It’s a two row of tripods day in the interview room. Remember, RazorVision has all the postgame press conference for both teams live.

12:39 p.m. — Lights up and 3:30 to go; big loud crowd in Walton Arena; Hog Wild Band breaks out the Peas as the Auburn Tigers come down the tunnel.

12:37 p.m. — Auburn comes in at 11-11 just like Arkansas, but the Razorbacks at 4-3 find themselves the co-leaders of the SEC West. State and Arkansas are together at 4-3, MSU is at Florida, same time today.

12:36 p.m. — Pregame hero video rolling; I can hear the Razorback team rumbling and getting ready under the stands behind the blog position.

12:35 p.m. — We are 6:00 to introductions, and the crowd is streaming down the aisles after the Star Spangled Banner; a thunderous official Hog Call is under way.

12:33 p.m. — Sarah Slocum, the reigning Miss Arkansas — who was top 15 at Miss America, to perform our National Anthem.

12:33 p.m. — Horn sounds to warn pom-cheer to take positions for the ROTC color guard.

12:30 p.m. — Starters for Arkansas, Washington, Fortson, Britt, Clarke, Powell; for Auburn, Hargrove, Reed, Sullivan, Waller, Lett.

12:20 p.m. — The lower bowl is filling and the upper deck is looking crowded. Wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t have the largest crowd of the year so far.

12:10 p.m. — Students have filled The Trough; Arkansas is going for its first four-game winning streak in several years today with Auburn.

12:00 p.m. — Crowd starting to fill in, there’s an old-school feel today.

11:51 a.m. — And no, it’s not on-line at RazorVision. You’ll have to come to the arena to see this one.

11:49 a.m. — New pregame highlight video playing on the video board; featuring some of the earthquake dunks and huge plays from the season.

11:43 a.m. — We are now on the clock, 60 minutes to introductions.

11:42 a.m. — Auburn begins stretching, most of the Razorbacks now out and shooting.

11:39 a.m. — If you missed it last night, Arkansas gymnastics hit a school-record 197.025 in defeating Auburn. Foreshadowing? Let’s hope so.

11:30 a.m. — Auburn’s guards and perimeter types are out shooting; Mike Washington and several Razorbacks out on the far end of the floor. A growing "scattered" crowd about 70 minutes to tip. If folks are sitting in the remote seats early, usually means we’ve got pretty significant pickup on the single game tickets available for sale on game-day.

11:25 a.m. — Weather outside is not a problem today, and no real chance for any difficulties the rest of the weekend. Remember, tomorrow the Razorback women’s basketball team host Kentucky at 2 p.m.

11:12 a.m. — Activity is picking up on the floor with the Razorback managers waiting for team members to arrive, students starting to fill in the lower levels of The Trough.

11:06 a.m. — Today is trading card day. The first 2,500 fans get the official team trading cards.

11:04 a.m. — We’ve not seen a lot of either team out on the floor for informal shooting so far.

11:02 a.m. — Student doors open and in rush the hard-core. Understand there was an article in the Arkansas Traveler about student attendance this week. Hope that encourages more students to jump in today.

10:50 a.m. — Lights out and clear the floor — laser light test time.

10:45 a.m. — Early start this morning with the TV crew in house for today’s game. This is an "OTA" (Over The Air) game on the SEC Network. Check your local listings. That also means we tip at 12:47 p.m.