Hog wild
Arkansas shocks No. 2 Auburn
Posted: Thursday February 25, 1999 08:15 AM
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Brandon Dean and the Razorbacks trounced Daymeon Fishback and the Tigers. AP |
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Against nationally ranked Kentucky, Arkansas opened a 13-point lead, became hesitant and barely survived.
Against No. 2 Auburn on Wednesday night, the Arkansas lead grew to 11 in the first seven minutes of the second half, then 16 with 11 1/2 to play and 21 with 7:35 left.
"We didn't back down tonight," Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson said after his Razorbacks' beat the Tigers 104-88. "We kept pushing it and got to their legs. Once we got to their legs, our shots picked up and their shooting diminished."
Chris Walker and Pat Bradley made 10-of-13 3-point attempts while it mattered and Arkansas likely played its way into the NCAA Tournament with the victory. Arkansas made 21-of-37 (56.8 percent) in the second half while Auburn hit 18-of-46 (39.1 percent).
Walker finished with a career-high 21 points, all while the Razorbacks (20-8, 9-6 SEC) were building a 21-point lead. Bradley scored 23 and broke the Southeastern Conference career record for 3-pointers in the process. Derek Hood, the SEC's leading rebounder, had 13 rebounds and 18 points.
Arkansas didn't trail in the final 29 minutes although Auburn (25-2, 13-2) pulled even once. The Razorbacks exhibited the same tenacity last Saturday when they led the final 24:24 in a 74-70 victory over then-No. 6 Kentucky.
"When they got a double-digit lead, we couldn't come back," said Auburn coach Cliff Ellis. "I thought our shot selection was poor.
"It may be 40 minutes on the clock, but it's like a 60-minute game," Ellis said. "It's a high possession game."
Prior to the loss, Auburn's average margin of victory was 23.2 points and the Tigers had only one victory under double digits. They were allowing an average of 59 points per game.
"I didn't give our players a chance to react in the dressing room," Ellis said. "I told them how I felt and didn't wait for a response."
Auburn tied it at 49 when Scott Pohlman faked Bradley and made a 3 and Chris Porter -- who led all scorers with 24 -- followed with a high arching jumper. Hood rebounded Kareem Reid's miss and got the ball to Bradley out front for a 3-pointer for a 52-49 advantage.
Walker chased down a rebound and put it back for a 56-51 lead and Hood slipped around Mamadou N'Diaye for a layup. Reid got loose underneath, took a pass and hooked it in.
Doc Robinson broke the 8-0 run with a drive down the lane, but Arkansas came right back. Sergerio Gipson hit two free throws and then Hood fought for a rebound, darted out of the pack, got the ball to T.J. Cleveland in the left corner and took a return pass for a slam and a 64-53 lead.
N'Diaye sat down with three fouls with 14 minutes to play and Hood followed a minute later.
Brandon Dean came off the bench and scored seven as the lead climbed to 73-57 with 11:26 to play. At that point, Arkansas had converted 13 turnovers into 21 points. Auburn was averaging 11 turnovers per game. The lead reached 20 on Hood's alley-oop pass to Dean with 8:27 left.
Bradley made all four of his 3-point shots in the first half and Walker was good on 3-of-4 as the Razorbacks built a 44-40 halftime lead.
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