No. 9 Arkansas takes control late, tops UNC Greensboro 65-58
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) Standout freshman Nick Smith Jr. scored 22 points in just his third game to help No. 9 Arkansas overcome a sluggish offensive showing and outlast North Carolina-Greensboro 65-58 on Tuesday night.
The Razorbacks (8-1) shot 33.3% and trailed for a majority of the game. Arkansas didn't take the lead for good until Devo Davis made a pair of free throws with 4:04 left. Anthony Black followed with a 3-pointer a minute later and Arkansas went on a 13-3 burst to take a three-possession lead into the final minute.
Smith, a projected NBA lottery pick, missed Arkansas' first six games with a knee injury.
''In virtually his second game, to have 22 points, especially when we only scored 65, if he doesn't have a good scoring night, we probably don't win tonight,'' Arkansas coach Eric Musselman said.
Makhi Mitchell had 13 points and 14 rebounds for Arkansas, Davis had 10 points and 10 boards, and Black scored 11 points.
Donovan Atwell led UNC Greensboro (4-6) with 12 points and Dante Treacy added 11.
Arkansas's poor shooting in the first half led to the Hogs having as many turnovers (nine) as made field goals in the opening 20 minutes. UNC Greensboro was hardly better, shooting 29% in the first half, but the Spartans made four 3-pointers to take a five-point lead into halftime.
The Razorbacks' biggest advantage came via their aggression in getting to the rim. Arkansas outscored the Spartans in the paint 28-24 and went 26 of 33 from the free-throw line. UNC Greensboro was 7 of 11 on free throws.
Smith, who played 39 minutes, made nine of 11 free throws, including 3 of 3 in the final 90 seconds.
''Obviously we were a little bit concerned about his wind and conditioning, but I thought he was fresh enough to make some foul shots when we needed them,'' Musselman said.
HOGS NEED COUNCIL-ING
Ricky Council entered the game as the SEC's leading scorer, averaging 19.1 points and reaching double figures in every game. That streak ended Tuesday. The Wichita State transfer finished with six points on 1-of-6 shooting.
BRAZILE INJURED
Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile left midway through the first half with an apparent knee injury and didn't return. The Missouri transfer entered the game third on the team in scoring at 13.3 points per game and first in rebounding, averaging 6.5.
BIG PICTURE
Arkansas hardly looked the part of the No. 9 team in the country, but given previous results, the Razorbacks could likely be excused a rough patch.
UP NEXT
UNC Greensboro: Hosts Marshall on Dec. 13.
Arkansas: Plays Oklahoma in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
20:00 | Mohammed Abdulsalam vs. Makhi Mitchell (Anthony Black gains possession) | |||
19:46 | Nick Smith Jr. misses three point jump shot | |||
19:44 | Kobe Langley defensive rebound | |||
19:23 | +3 | Keyshaun Langley makes three point jump shot (Kobe Langley assists) | 3-0 | |
19:05 | Ricky Council IV misses two point jump shot | |||
19:03 | Dante Treacy defensive rebound | |||
18:53 | Mohammed Abdulsalam misses two point hook shot | |||
18:51 | Makhi Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
18:38 | +2 | Makhi Mitchell makes two point alley-oop dunk (Nick Smith Jr. assists) | 3-2 | |
18:23 | Makhi Mitchell blocks Bas Leyte's two point layup | |||
18:21 | Spartans offensive rebound | |||
18:06 | Kobe Langley misses three point jump shot | |||
18:04 | Makhi Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
17:49 | Jordan Walsh misses three point jump shot | |||
17:47 | Kobe Langley defensive rebound | |||
17:24 | Keyshaun Langley misses three point jump shot | |||
17:22 | Makhi Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
17:09 | +2 | Nick Smith Jr. makes two point jump shot (Makhi Mitchell assists) | 3-4 | |
16:55 | +2 | Bas Leyte makes two point jump shot (Keyshaun Langley assists) | 5-4 | |
16:34 | Jordan Walsh turnover (lost ball) | |||
16:20 | Anthony Black blocks Keyshaun Langley's three point jump shot | |||
16:18 | Trevon Brazile defensive rebound | |||
16:05 | Trevon Brazile misses three point jump shot | |||
16:03 | Dante Treacy defensive rebound | |||
15:54 | Dante Treacy misses two point layup | |||
15:52 | Anthony Black defensive rebound | |||
15:45 | Anthony Black misses three point jump shot | |||
15:43 | Bas Leyte defensive rebound | |||
15:21 | Jump ball. (Spartans gains possession) | |||
15:19 | TV timeout | |||
15:13 | Trevon Brazile blocks Kobe Langley's two point jump shot | |||
15:11 | Kamani Johnson defensive rebound | |||
14:59 | +2 | Nick Smith Jr. makes two point driving floating jump shot | 5-6 | |
14:35 | +2 | Dante Treacy makes two point layup | 7-6 | |
14:35 | Ricky Council IV shooting foul (Dante Treacy draws the foul) | |||
14:35 | Dante Treacy misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | |||
14:35 | Davonte Davis defensive rebound | |||
14:14 | Kamani Johnson misses two point layup | |||
14:12 | Trevon Brazile offensive rebound | |||
14:13 | Jump ball. (Trevon Brazile gains possession) | |||
14:05 | Nick Smith Jr. misses three point jump shot | |||
14:03 | Dante Treacy defensive rebound | |||
13:54 | Keyshaun Langley misses three point jump shot | |||
13:52 | Ricky Council IV defensive rebound | |||
13:44 | Dante Treacy personal foul (Kamani Johnson draws the foul) | |||
13:31 | Mohammed Abdulsalam personal foul (Anthony Black draws the foul) | |||
13:21 | Ricky Council IV misses three point jump shot | |||
13:19 | Mohammed Abdulsalam defensive rebound | |||
13:04 | Dante Treacy misses two point jump shot | |||
13:02 | Ricky Council IV defensive rebound | |||
12:54 | Ricky Council IV turnover (bad pass) (Mohammed Abdulsalam steals) | |||
12:54 | Dante Treacy turnover (lost ball) (Davonte Davis steals) | |||
12:54 | Anthony Black misses two point layup | |||
12:52 | Keondre Kennedy defensive rebound | |||
12:33 | Anthony Black personal foul (Keondre Kennedy draws the foul) | |||
12:21 | Trevon Brazile blocks Dante Treacy's two point layup | |||
12:19 | Kamani Johnson defensive rebound | |||
12:11 | Davonte Davis misses three point jump shot | |||
12:09 | Joryam Saizonou defensive rebound | |||
11:58 | Bas Leyte misses three point jump shot | |||
11:56 | Davonte Davis defensive rebound | |||
11:55 | Davonte Davis offensive foul | |||
11:55 | Davonte Davis turnover (offensive foul) | |||
11:55 | TV timeout | |||
11:42 | Mikeal Brown-Jones misses three point jump shot | |||
11:40 | Davonte Davis defensive rebound | |||
11:40 | Keondre Kennedy personal foul (Trevon Brazile draws the foul) | |||
11:21 | Trevon Brazile misses two point jump shot | |||
11:19 | Bas Leyte defensive rebound | |||
11:08 | Keondre Kennedy misses three point jump shot | |||
11:06 | Anthony Black defensive rebound | |||
10:51 | Trevon Brazile misses two point layup | |||
10:49 | Davonte Davis offensive rebound | |||
10:36 | Keondre Kennedy blocks Nick Smith Jr.'s two point jump shot | |||
10:34 | Mikeal Brown-Jones defensive rebound | |||
10:26 | Mikeal Brown-Jones offensive foul (Anthony Black draws the foul) | |||
10:26 | Mikeal Brown-Jones turnover (offensive foul) | |||
10:10 | Keondre Kennedy personal foul | |||
9:59 | Jalen Graham misses two point layup | |||
9:57 | Jalen Graham offensive rebound | |||
9:50 | Jalen Graham turnover (lost ball) (Mikeal Brown-Jones steals) | |||
9:32 | Anthony Black shooting foul (Mikeal Brown-Jones draws the foul) | |||
9:32 | +1 | Mikeal Brown-Jones makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 8-6 | |
9:32 | Mikeal Brown-Jones misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | |||
9:32 | Davonte Davis defensive rebound | |||
9:17 | Nick Smith Jr. misses two point driving floating jump shot | |||
9:15 | Razorbacks offensive rebound | |||
9:09 | Nick Smith Jr. turnover (out of bounds) | |||
8:53 | +3 | Donovan Atwell makes three point jump shot (Kobe Langley assists) | 11-6 | |
8:23 | Mohammed Abdulsalam blocks Ricky Council IV's two point jump shot | |||
8:23 | Razorbacks offensive rebound | |||
8:23 | Trevon Brazile turnover (lost ball) (Donovan Atwell steals) | |||
8:23 | Bas Leyte misses two point hook shot | |||
8:21 | Makhi Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
8:11 | Donovan Atwell personal foul | |||
8:04 | Ricky Council IV misses two point jump shot | |||
8:02 | Mohammed Abdulsalam defensive rebound | |||
7:49 | Makhi Mitchell personal foul | |||
7:49 | TV timeout | |||
7:46 | +3 | Donovan Atwell makes three point jump shot (Dante Treacy assists) | 14-6 | |
7:29 | Keyshaun Langley personal foul (Trevon Brazile draws the foul) | |||
7:29 | Makhi Mitchell misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | |||
7:29 | Mohammed Abdulsalam defensive rebound | |||
7:04 | Bas Leyte misses two point jump shot | |||
6:54 | Makhi Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
6:54 | Ricky Council IV turnover (lost ball) (Keyshaun Langley steals) | |||
6:46 | +2 | Keyshaun Langley makes two point layup | 16-6 | |
6:38 | +2 | Davonte Davis makes two point pullup jump shot | 16-8 | |
6:24 | Dante Treacy turnover (Makhi Mitchell steals) | |||
6:15 | Davonte Davis turnover (lost ball) (Keyshaun Langley steals) | |||
6:15 | Davonte Davis personal foul (Keyshaun Langley draws the foul) | |||
6:15 | +1 | Keyshaun Langley makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 17-8 | |
6:15 | Keyshaun Langley misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | |||
6:15 | Davonte Davis defensive rebound | |||
6:06 | Davonte Davis turnover (lost ball) (Donovan Atwell steals) | |||
5:46 | +2 | Mohammed Abdulsalam makes two point layup (Keyshaun Langley assists) | 19-8 | |
5:29 | +2 | Nick Smith Jr. makes two point layup | 19-10 | |
5:16 | Keyshaun Langley misses three point jump shot | |||
5:14 | Mohammed Abdulsalam offensive rebound | |||
4:56 | +3 | Dante Treacy makes three point stepback jump shot | 22-10 | |
4:35 | Davonte Davis misses two point layup | |||
4:33 | Razorbacks offensive rebound | |||
4:33 | Mikeal Brown-Jones personal foul | |||
4:33 | +1 | Makhi Mitchell makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 22-11 | |
4:33 | Makhi Mitchell misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | |||
4:33 | Kobe Langley defensive rebound | |||
4:09 | Donovan Atwell misses three point jump shot | |||
4:07 | Mohammed Abdulsalam offensive rebound | |||
3:47 | Kobe Langley misses two point jump shot | |||
3:45 | Makhi Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
3:34 | +2 | Makhi Mitchell makes two point layup (Anthony Black assists) | 22-13 | |
3:23 | Bas Leyte misses three point jump shot | |||
3:21 | Nick Smith Jr. defensive rebound | |||
3:17 | +2 | Anthony Black makes two point layup (Nick Smith Jr. assists) | 22-15 | |
3:17 | Donovan Atwell shooting foul (Anthony Black draws the foul) | |||
3:17 | Anthony Black misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | |||
3:17 | Kobe Langley defensive rebound | |||
3:01 | Ricky Council IV shooting foul (Dante Treacy draws the foul) | |||
3:01 | +1 | Dante Treacy makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 23-15 | |
3:01 | +1 | Dante Treacy makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 24-15 | |
2:47 | Anthony Black misses two point jump shot | |||
2:45 | Anthony Black offensive rebound | |||
2:39 | +2 | Anthony Black makes two point layup | 24-17 | |
2:34 | Makhi Mitchell blocks Bas Leyte's two point layup | |||
2:32 | Bas Leyte offensive rebound | |||
2:23 | Kobe Langley misses two point layup | |||
2:21 | Makhi Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
2:17 | Davonte Davis misses three point jump shot | |||
2:15 | Keyshaun Langley defensive rebound | |||
2:06 | Spartans 30 second timeout | |||
1:51 | Dante Treacy turnover (bad pass) | |||
1:39 | Mohammed Abdulsalam blocks Nick Smith Jr.'s two point layup | |||
1:37 | Mohammed Abdulsalam defensive rebound | |||
1:27 | Jump ball. Bas Leyte vs. Makhi Mitchell (Bas Leyte gains possession) | |||
1:12 | Dante Treacy misses three point jump shot | |||
1:10 | Razorbacks defensive rebound | |||
1:10 | Mohammed Abdulsalam personal foul (Makhi Mitchell draws the foul) | |||
1:10 | +1 | Makhi Mitchell makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 24-18 | |
1:10 | +1 | Makhi Mitchell makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 24-19 | |
0:49 | Keyshaun Langley turnover (traveling) | |||
0:36 | +2 | Davonte Davis makes two point pullup jump shot | 24-21 | |
0:06 | +2 | Dante Treacy makes two point layup (Bas Leyte assists) | 26-21 | |
0:00 | End of period |