Hogs hold off Aggies for seventh straight win

Arkansas's Bobby Portis (10) works the ball around Texas A&M's Kourtney Roberson in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Fayetteville, Ark., Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

— Arkansas had just enough to outlast Texas A&M on Tuesday at Bud Walton Arena.

The No. 18 Razorbacks held off a furious second half comeback to beat the Aggies 81-75 in a game Arkansas led by as many as 25 points. The Razorbacks won their seventh straight game to match their longest conference winning steak in 20 years.

Texas A&M pulled to within two points in the closing minutes, but Michael Qualls made three free throws and Alandise Harris had a breakaway dunk in the final 23 seconds to help Arkansas pull away.

The Razorbacks began the game on a 10-0 run and never trailed. Arkansas led 33-9 at one point and 46-23 at halftime.

Bobby Portis scored 22 points to lead the Razorbacks (23-5, 12-3 SEC). Anthlon Bell scored 14 points - all in the first half - and Ky Madden and Harris each scored 11 points.

Texas A&M (19-8, 10-5) made 46 percent of its shots and out-rebounded Arkansas by 17 in the second half to close the deficit.

The Aggies finished the game with a plus-21 rebound advantage, but committed 21 turnovers that Arkansas turned into 27 points. The Razorbacks also blocked 12 shots.

Danuel House scored 28 points to lead Texas A&M. Kourtney Roberson added 14 points and eight rebounds, and Jalen Jones added 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The game was a matchup between the second- and third-place teams in the SEC standings entering the game. Arkansas has won seven straight home games against Texas A&M, a streak dating to 1986 when both teams were members of the Southwest Conference.

Arkansas has won 10 of its last 11 games entering a showdown against No. 1 Kentucky on Saturday. The Wildcats are undefeated this season, but the Razorbacks have won three straight games in the series.