Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

12/22/2011 at 10:43pm

Arkansas 77, La. Tech 63

Why Arkansas Won
Arkansas (8-3) was able to get the game into its preferred tempo during crucial stretches against Louisiana Tech (7-6). That was especially true as the Razorbacks outscored the Bulldogs by 12 in the final eight minutes, turning a two-point game into a big victory at Bud Walton Arena. While the Razorbacks only forced nine turnovers and scored just eight points off those Louisiana Tech gifts, defense was a factor for much of the game. Arkansas was able to wear down the Bulldogs late and Louisiana Tech shot just 35 percent in the second half.

Turning Point
A three-point play by Rashad Madden helped the Razorbacks turn a two-point lead into a 64-59 advantage with 6:14 left. That was the beginning of the 16-4 Arkansas run to close the game. Madden scored five of his nine points during the run and added a blocked shot to help put the game away.

Player of the Game
On the advice of his uncle, sophomore guard Rickey Scott went searching for old video highlight packages of himself online. What Scott saw was a player who thrived on his athleticism and made a habit of attacking the basket, something he did again Thursday. Scott was aggressive and seemed to build confidence by hitting a few shots early, finishing with a team-high 18 points to go with three rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

“My uncle said I wasn’t playing like the player I used to be. I took that as a challenge,” said Scott, who hit 8 of 16 shots. “I stepped it up.”

Coach Mike Anderson liked what he saw from Scott.

“That was an aggressive, assertive game,” Anderson said. “Rickey, you saw what I saw. He was a highlight waiting to happen. I liked his demeanor, his mindset.”

Turnaround
Arkansas finished the night with a respectable 48.4 shooting percentage. The Razorbacks hit 31 of 64 shots and even connected on 53.6 percent of their shots in the second half.

That was quite a departure from the way the game started. Arkansas began by hitting just 2 of its first 9 shots and appeared to be headed for another poor shooting performance.

It helped the Razorbacks were able to get transition baskets. Highlighting the night were consecutive lob passes from Julysses Nobles to Rickey Scott (dunk) and BJ Young (layup) in the first half.

Those plays ignited the crowd and helped give Arkansas a 40-33 edge at halftime.

Homecoming
Louisiana Tech featured a pair of players with ties to the state of Arkansas. Conway native Kenyon McNeail and Jacksonville native Raheem Appleby both started for the Bulldogs.

Appleby’s 23 points was a game high and he hit 10 of 22 shots in 35 minutes.

Anderson was asked if he was familiar with Appleby before the game.

“I am now,” Anderson said. 

Speaking Out
“They kept the momentum. There are times this year you’ll see us do it for a couple plays, then sputter and break our own momentum. Tonight we stayed in the moment. We kept doing what was working for us.”
— Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson

Up Next
Arkansas players are headed home for the holidays. They’ll be back in Fayetteville for an 8 p.m. workout on Christmas and return to the court on Dec. 28 against UNC Charlotte.

Tagged: Arkansas Razorbacks , Mike Anderson, Julysses Nobles, Rickey Scott, BJ Young, Ky Madden, Raheem Appleby