Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

1/25/2012 at 11:31pm

Arkansas 56, Auburn 53

Why Arkansas Won
It sure wasn’t offense that won this game for Arkansas, though the Razorbacks did hit some big shots down the stretch. Defensive effort was key against Auburn as 21 turnovers by the Tigers yielded 21 points for Arkansas. Getting stops helped the Razorbacks overcome a first half in which they shot 4 of 27 (14.8 percent) and a game in which they were out-rebounded 44-29. Auburn shooters didn’t get easy looks for 3-pointers in the final minute thanks to Arkansas’ defense, and a steal from Ky Madden led to an emphatic BJ Young dunk that sealed the victory with :20.1 remaining. Arkansas improved to 15-0 at Bud Walton Arena and survived a second consecutive game that went down to the final buzzer.

Turning Point
Rickey Scott reeled off eight consecutive points by himself during a two-minute stretch of the second half in which the Razorbacks took the lead for good. Scott’s 3-pointer with 8:53 left was the first Arkansas lead since 15-14 in the first half and sparked his scoring spree and a late offensive surge for the team. Scott had been 4 of 42 on his previous shots from behind the arc. Auburn answered to reclaim the lead, but Scott added a layup, a free throw and another layup to push the Razorbacks up 47-43 with 6:53 left. They never fell behind the Tigers again in the game.

Player Of The Game
BJ Young didn’t hit his scoring average (14.7 for the season and 16.8 in SEC games) but was still a difference-maker for the Razorbacks. He finished with a team-high 11 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out four assists without a turnover in 31 minutes. Young had two big scores in the final 2:10, including Arkansas’ final points and his rebound of an Auburn miss with 1:09 left helped protect a 54-51 lead.

Young was also solid in the postgame interview room, offering this gem: “We stayed focused on the defensive end. We couldn’t throw it in the ocean."

Free Throw Woes
For all the plays that Arkansas made down the stretch to win a close one, the Razorbacks could have had some breathing room had they hit free throws. Like their win against Michigan on Saturday, the Razorbacks missed some crucial freebies late.

Ky Madden missed the front end of a one-and-one with 42 seconds left and Mardracus Wade missed with 7 seconds left on a one-and-one. The Razorbacks were just 2 of 5 from the line after halftime. Arkansas was 10 of 14 from the line in the first half.

Mickelson Starts
Hunter Mickelson earned his first start of the season, following an encouraging offensive game against Michigan and an injury to Marvell Waithe. Mickelson finished with four points and four rebounds in 21 minutes.

Mickelson blocked three shots, extending his streak of at least one blocked shot in 20 games. He has 53 for the season and trails Steven Hill by one for second on the blocked shot list for freshmen at Arkansas. 

New Addition?
Oklahoma State transfer Fred Gulley enrolled at Arkansas and said earlier this week he hoped to join the basketball team. He appears to have followed through and was seated on the Razorback in street clothes.

Gulley would be eligible next year for the spring semester. He left OSU in December.

Speaking Out
“Coach came in and talked for a little bit and then he said, 'It's on you all. Figure it out.' And then the coaches walked out.”
—Arkansas guard Julysses Nobles on what went on at halftime after the Razorbacks shot 4 of 27 (14.8 percent) from the field.

"I didn’t say a little, I said a lot. Then I left to let them hash it out. ... I think they did some in-depth thinking and turned this thing around.”
—Coach Mike Anderson on leaving the locker room early at halftime

Up Next
Arkansas (15-5, 3-2 SEC) travels to Alabama (13-7, 2-4) on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 12:30 p.m.

Tagged: Fred Gulley, Hunter Mickelson, Mardracus Wade, BJ Young, Mike Anderson, Auburn Tigers, Arkansas Razorbacks , Julysses Nobles