hasn’t played this season after averaging 17.7 points last year. Boyd is averaging a team-high 17.3 points this season. “I was really proud,” Acuff said. “We got down 20 and we could have went to the hills, but we didn’t do that. “We’ve got a bunch of really good kids. I mean, we had four freshmen out there a lot in the second half, and we just kept fighting.” Arkansas (7-4) led the final 34:15 and took a 61-41 lead on senior guard Khalif Battle’s jump shot with 10:51 left. But the game was far from over.
Lipscomb (7-6) outscored the Razorbacks 21-2 over a 5:59 span to pull within 63-62 on 2 free throws by senior forward Owen McCormack with 4:29 left. Arkansas struggled against the Bisons’ zone defense. The Razorbacks missed 8 of 9 shots and had 3 turnovers to help Lipscomb rally. “I thought our zone really helped us,” Acuff said. “I thought they got a little stagnant — and it’s hard when you’re up like that. You start playing maybe not to lose.
“They missed some shots they had been making. That allowed us to get back in the game. I thought our guards kept driving the ball and kept putting pressure on the rim. “Then we made three [consecutive] threes, and next thing you know, it’s a game.” Lipscomb pulled within one point twice in the final 3:01. The Razorbacks kept the lead thanks to two layups by senior forward Makhi Mitchell to make it 65-62 and 67-64, and a bank shot by senior guard Davonte Davis with 26 seconds left for the final 69-66 margin.
“Tough win for us,” Mitchell said on Arkansas’ postgame radio show. “We came out in the first half and did what we were supposed to do. “Lipscomb is a good team and they adjusted to us. We had to figure it out and get that win, man.” McCormack, who had 13 points and 12 rebounds, missed three-point attempts with 13 and 2 seconds left.“Owen McCormack — the kid that missed the last two — I’d take him every time,” Acuff said.
McCormack hit 3 of 7 three-pointers and got off one last shot to try to send the game into overtime after Arkansas freshman guard Layden Blocker missed the front end of a 1-and-1 free throw with 7.9 seconds left. “It’s definitely a sense of relief, because the last 30 seconds of the game [McCormack] got two good looks off,” said Arkansas junior Guard Tramon Mark, who scored 17 points. “Just seeing that, got to be glad he missed. “We all know we have to be better defensively.”
Musselman said the Razorbacks didn’t show good patience on offense after they built a 20-point lead. “In the past we’ve done a really good job of milking the shot clock when we get up like that,” Musselman said. “A lot of people don’t understand it. “Tonight’s a great example of why you do it. I let them play; should have clock-managed better.“You think with a veteran team you’ll be able to get good shots on goal. That wasn’t the case tonight. Got to get a lot better in so many areas.”
