Razorbacks Survive Three-Point Barrage by Bobcats

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas survived a big three-point shooting night by winless Texas State and avoided the upset with a 73-67 victory on Tuesday. The Bobcats came in 0-5, but made 12-of-19 three-pointers (.632) against Arkansas, which led the Southeastern Conference last year with a .309 three-point defensive percentage. Overall from the floor, TSU shot just 46.6 percent. At the line, Texas State made only one-of-five free throws. A Charles Thomas layup gave Arkansas a 49-35 lead with 15:20 to play, but a Charles Dotson layup and a three by Trevor Cook cut the deficit to 49-40. The Razorbacks (6-2) pushed the lead back to 12, but Cook hit two more threes to pull the Bobcats within 51-43 with 11:55 remaining. Arkansas maintained an eight-to-10 point advantage until a Lance Burroughs trey got TSU within 67-60 with 3:50 left. After a Ronnie Brewer dunk, Antwoine Blanchard drained a three and the lead was six at 3:19. Eric Ferguson made a layup, but buckets by Burroughs and JuShay Rocket pulled the Bobcats within 71-67. TSU had a chance to get closer, but Steven Hill recorded his school-record tying and Bud Walton Arena record 10th blocked shot of the game with 44 seconds left. Texas State was forced to foul, but Brewer and Vincent Hunter missed the front end of consecutive one-and-one opportunities before Jonathon Modica made two free throws with 20 seconds to go for the final margin. Arkansas had a 35-30 rebounding advantage, shot 49.1 percent (27-55), blocked 12 shots, had eight steals and turned the ball over only 10 times, but the Hogs forced only 11 turnovers and gave up 12 offensive rebounds. Brewer was nine-of-18 from the floor for a game-high 22 points along with three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Modica had 14 points and five rebounds. Ferguson finished with 11 points, four rebounds and three assists. Dontell Jefferson had a game-high eight assists with three turnovers along with five points and three rebounds. Hill just missed a double-double, finishing with 10 blocked shots and nine rebounds, both career highs, along with six points. Burroughs led TSU with 13 points while Rockett and Cook scored 11 each. UA is off for semester exams until Dec. 15 when the Hogs play host to Missouri State at 7:05 p.m. in a game televised by ARSN.