Hogs Pull Away From Missouri

FAYETTEVILLE – Isaiah Joe made seven 3-pointers and scored a game-high 23 points while Daniel Gafford recorded his eighth double-double of the season to lead Arkansas to a 72-60 win over Missouri Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks trailed at halftime but took an early lead in the second half off a Mason Jones 3-pointer. The Razorbacks would not surrender that lead over the final 17:41 of the game. However, the game remained tight until a 10-0 run by the Hogs inside the final five minutes to put the game away.

Arkansas was down 17-4 10 minutes into the game. The Tigers kept the momentum, leading 23-12 with seven minutes to play in the period. The Razorback defense kicked in and cut their deficit to four, 26-22, thanks in part to Reggie Chaney. The freshman scored a pair of baskets as well as getting a steal that led to a Desi Sills fast-break layup.

Mark Smith, who scored 22 for the Tigers, temporarily stopped the bleeding with a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Joe and Keyshawn Embery-Simpson hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Razorbacks their first lead, 30-29. Missouri regained the lead and pushed its cushion back to four, 34-30, before Gafford hit a basket at the buzzer to make it a 2-point game at the break.

Arkansas rode that momentum coming out of the locker room as Joe hit a 3-pointer. Mizzou countered with a 3-pointer to take a one-point lead. Mason Jones came back down the court and sank a trey for a 38-37 lead, one the Razorbacks would not relinquish.

While Arkansas maintained a lead the final 17:41 of the game, Missouri kept it close, getting to within one six times. The last time Mizzou cut it to one, 60-59 with 4:27 left, the Razorbacks went on a 10-0 run to secure the win.

Gafford finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds while Jalen Harris added 10 points and six assists with zero turnovers. Chaney finished with six points, rebounds and four assists.

Arkansas returns the road to play at #13 Texas Tech on Saturday (Jan. 26) as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. Tip-off set for 5 pm (CT) and the game will be telecast on ESPN2.

Isaiah Joe Seals The Deal

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 32 –Missouri 34

• Missouri got off to a 14-2 start eight minutes into the game and led 17-4 with 11:12 left.
• Reggie Chaney sparked a 6-0 run to make the score 23-18 in the Tigers’ favor with 5:27 left. Chaney had two baskets, steal. After a bucket by Mizzou, Chaney had a steal and assist on a Desi Sills layup. Joe then had a steal and layup.
• Missouri’s Mark Smith hit a deep 3-pointer to end Arkansas’ momentum. However, Isaiah Joe and Keyshawn Embery-Simpson hit back-to-back 3-pointers, the second gave Arkansas its first lead, 30-29, with 2:10 left.
• Missouri scored five straight to go up four with 36 seconds left before Daniel Gafford hit a basket at the buzzer to provide the 34-32 half time score.
• Arkansas was down 11, 23-12, with 7:08 left and out-scored the Tigers 20-11 last seven minutes to trail by two at the break.

SECOND HALF: Arkansas out-scored Mizzou 40-26 and held the Tigers to three points over the final 4:49.

• Isaiah Joe sank a 3-pointer to start the second half and gave Arkansas a 35-34 lead. Missouri answered with a 3-pointer to go up two, 37-35. Mason Jones followed with a 3-pointer to give Arkansas a one-point advantage, 38-37, with 17:41 and the Hogs held the lead the rest of the half.
• Missouri got to within one six times over the final 15:30, but Arkansas either answered or got a stop on defense to maintain its lead.
• With 4:27 left, the Razorbacks led by one, 60-59, before going on a 10-0 run to put the game away. Gafford had a layup, Joe hit a 3-pointer, Chaney hit a layup and Joe sank another 3-pointer. Including that 10-0 run, Arkansas out-scored the Tigers 12-1 over the final 4:27.

 GAME NOTES:

• Arkansas’ starters were Isaiah Joe (G) – Jalen Harris (G) – Mason Jones (G) – Adrio Bailey (F) – Daniel Gafford (F). This has been Arkansas’ starting lineup in 16 of its 18 games.
• Arkansas controlled the tip. Mizzou’s Kevin Puryear scored the first points of the game, a tip-in at 19:34. Jalen Harris scored the first points for Arkansas, a jumper at 18:46.
• With an attendance of 13,881 versus Missouri Wednesday, Arkansas’ attendance total eclipsed 7,000,000 since Bud Walton Arena opened for the 1993-94 season. Through 25 seasons plus 11 home games this season the total attendance is 7,011,524.
• This was the 50th meeting between Arkansas and Missouri. Arkansas leads the all-time series 27-23, including a 16-9 mark in Fayetteville and 7-5 mark since Mizzou joined the SEC for the 2012-13 season. Arkansas has won seven of the last nine.
• Jalen Harris had six assists and no turnovers. This was the fifth time Harris has not committed a turnover in a game this season.
• Daniel Gafford recorded his eighth double-double and the Razorbacks are 7-1 in such games.
• Daniel Gafford played 35 minutes and was not whistled for a foul. The last time a Razorback post player played at least 35 minutes and did not commit a foul was when Nick Davis accomplished the feat, playing 36 minutes, during the 1997-98 season at Kentucky (HogStats.com).
• Arkansas forced 24 turnovers, tying a season high. (Arkansas forced 24 versus UC Davis and Montana State earlier this season.) This was the fourth time Arkansas has held to a team to single-digit assists.
• Arkansas did not register a blocked shot (nor did Missouri). With records dating back to 1992-93 season, it was the first time Arkansas had zero blocks in a game (HogStats.com). Arkansas was 14th in the NCAA in blocked shots and had at least three blocked shots in 16 of 18 games this season.
• Arkansas has 118 home wins since head coach Mike Anderson took over the reins for the 2011-12 season. The 118 wins are 8th-best in the NCAA over that span.

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