Arkansas Falls To South Carolina At SEC Tournament
In a game that featured
21 lead changes, including 18 in the second half, No. 5 seed Arkansas
dropped a heart-breaking 71-69 setback to No. 13 seed South Carolina in
the second round of the SEC Tournament on Thursday at the Georgia Dome.
Besides a nine-second stretch in the second half, neither team
trailed by more than one possession over the final 20 minutes, which
eventually led to South Carolina leading 70-69 with 16 seconds left and
Arkansas holding the ball. Following a timeout, the Razorbacks worked
the ball around before finding freshman Bobby Portis deep in the middle
of the paint, but his jump hook caromed off the back of the rim and was
rebounded by South Carolina.
The Gamecock hit the second of two
free throws with 2.9 seconds left to make it 71-69, giving the
Razorbacks a shot to tie or win the game. Following another timeout,
Arkansas got the ball to junior Rashad Madden who worked his way past
half court for a deep but good look from three but his game-winning
attempt was just off as the final horn sounded.
Madden was one
of four players in double figures, as Arkansas now stands at 21-11
overall and will await its postseason destiny until Sunday night during
the NCAA Selection Show. South Carolina (13-19) advances to take on No.
4 seed Tennessee in the quarterfinals.
Senior Coty Clarke led
the quartet of Razorbacks in double figures with 13 points, a team-high
five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Madden and Portis both
finished with 11 points while sophomore Michael Qualls added 10.
Freshman Moses Kingsley provided a big spark off the bench with seven
points and four blocks in 18 minutes.
Arkansas was able to
force South Carolina into 15 turnovers which led to 19 points and
limited the Gamecocks to just 38 percent (18-47) from the field, but
was undone by being out-rebounded by a 40-24 margin and foul trouble.
The Razorbacks committed 28 fouls which led to 30-of-41 shooting at the
free throw line by South Carolina, including its final seven points
over the last 3:39.
South Carolina was led by freshman
Sindarius Thornwell’s 17 points and Laimonas Chatkevicius’ 16 points
and seven rebounds off the bench.
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