LUBBOCK, Texas — Arkansas cut a 12-point deficit to two with 1:01 left and trailed by three with 32 seconds left but could not complete the comeback, falling 67-64 at #13 Texas Tech as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge.
After Texas Tech opened its largest lead, 12 points with 7:41 left, Arkansas did not allow the Raiders to make another field goal the rest of the game. However, Tech made 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch, including two with five seconds to play, to pull out the win.
Arkansas used a 10-0 run, including four points from Reggie Chaney, four from Mason Jones and two from Daniel Gafford to get back in the game. Then, down five with two minutes to play, Gafford made a layup and, after a Tech turnover, Keyshawn Embery-Simpson went 1-of-2 at the free throw line to make it a two-point game with 1:01 left.
After an Arkansas foul, Tech’s Jarrett Culver went 1-of-2 at the line, making it a three-point game with 32 seconds left. Arkansas committed a turnover on the ensuing possession and Davide Moretti sank a pair of free throws with five seconds left to give the Raiders a five-point cushion. Jalen Harris made a layup at the buzzer to provide the 67-64 final score. (Harris also made a buzzer-beater to end the first half to give Arkansas a 33-30 lead at the break.)
Gafford scored 14 points and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field. Harris and Jones each scored 11 points.
Moretti finished with a game-high 21 points, Culver scored 15 and Matt Mooney had 12 for the Red Raiders, who shot 51 percent (22 of 43) from the field, including 10 for 19 from 3-point range.
Arkansas entered the game among the nation’s top 20 in assists but handed out a season-low six.
Arkansas returns to SEC play Tuesday (Jan. 29) when the Razorbacks host Georgia in Bud Walton Arena Saturday. Tip-off set for 6 pm (CT) and the game will be telecast on the SEC Network.
FIRST HALF: Arkansas 33 – Texas Tech 30
- Texas Tech made the first run. With the Raiders leading 11-9, Texas Tech went on a 6-0 run to take a 17-9 lead. However, the Razorbacks answered with an 8-0 run to tie the game, 17-17, after a Mason Jones 3-pointer.
- The game remained tight with the largest lead being four by Texas Tech on a 3-pointer at 3:53.
- However, Gabe Osabuohien hit his third career 3-pointer to cut the Razorback deficit to one, 27-26.
- Arkansas took its first lead, 28-27 at 2:05, on an Isaiah Joe jumper in the corner. Tech answered with a trey to regain the lead.
- Jalen Harris made two free throws with 28 seconds left to tie the game at 30-30. Tech missed on a jumper on the ensuing possession. Adrio Bailey got the rebound with 3.8 seconds left, threw an outlet pass to Harris, who hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer just inside the half-court line to give Arkansas a 33-30 lead at the break.
- Harris had a team-best nine at the break, followed by Bailey (7) and Joe (5).
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 17 of its 19 games.
- Texas Tech controlled the tip. TTU’s Jarrett Culver scored the first points of the game, a 3-pointer at 19:05. Jalen Harris scored the points for Arkansas, a layup off a fast break at the 17:44 mark.
- This was the 79th meeting between Arkansas and Texas Tech. The Red Raiders now own a 40-39 advantage in the all-time series which dates back to the 1942-43 season.
- This was the fifth straight year Arkansas has played in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Razorbacks are 2-3, including a win over Texas Tech at Bud Walton Arena in 2016.
- This was the third time this season Daniel Gafford has not missed a shot in a game. The sophomore tied his own school record (with several others), going 8-of-8 from the field versus Montana State and he was 3-of-3 from the field versus UC Davis.
- This was the second straight game Arkansas held its opponent without a field goal down the stretch. Versus Missouri and leading by one, the Razorbacks did not allow Missouri to make a field goal over the final 5:06 of the game. The Tigers were 3-of-4 at the line over the span.
- Arkansas out-rebounded the Red Raiders, 27-25, and this was the first time this season Arkansas lost when out-rebounding its opponent. The Razorbacks are now 5-1 when out-rebounding their opponent.
- For the first time this season, Keyshawn Embery-Simpson was the first sub off the bench for the Razorbacks. Embery-Simpson played a career-high 26 minutes.
