NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When Arkansas needed him the most Friday, senior center Moses Kingsley threw his long arm up twice and swatted away Ole Miss’ hopes for an upset at the SEC Tournament.
Kingsley rejected Sebastian Saiz’ go-ahead attempt with 50.7 seconds left and had another block that caused a hurried jumper in a dizzying final 23 seconds of the game. The Razorbacks beat the Rebels 73-72 in a quarterfinal game at Bridgestone Arena.
“We just needed one stop, two stops, that is what we talked about in the huddle and if we could get that they were going to break and that is what we did,” Kingsley said.
“I have the experience. I have been here before and some of these guys have not been here. Only five of us have. I know how it feels to be here. I have won here and I have lost here.”
Kingsley finished the game with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks. He has 84 blocks this season and 247 for his career - fourth all-time in program history.
“It was like two brothers fighting it out,” Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said. “They are right next to us (bordering states) and it was an intense moment. You have got to make plays and how about Moses Kingsley with his presence blocking shots back there.
“Our defense saved us right there at the end."
Daryl Macon had 17 points - including two game-clinching free throws - while Jaylen Barford and Dusty Hannahs each added 13 as Arkansas (24-8) advanced to a Saturday semifinal against Vanderbilt (19-14) at approximately 2:25 p.m.
The Commodores have won nine of their last 11 games, including over off Texas A&M and Florida on consecutive days in Nashville.
Arkansas, which has won seven of its last eight games, and Vanderbilt split the season series with each winning on the other’s home court.
“They spread the floor and shoot 3-pointers and lay ups,” Anderson said. “You get them to the free throw and it’s automatic. They have played a tough schedule and you are starting to see their continuity.
“It’s going to be a tremendous challenge for us, but it is going to be a great opportunity for us.”
Kingsley knows the challenge the Commodores present.
“We just have enjoy this win until midnight and then get ready for Vandy,” Kingsley said. “We just have to guard them. They are a very good team and they are hot right now, but we just have to come out and with the mindset of guarding them and playing defense all night and we are going to be fine if we play defense.”
Terence Davis had 26 points to lead Ole Miss (20-13) while Saiz scored only 9 points on 4-of-16 shooting. Saiz added a game-high 17 rebounds.
The Rebels won the board battle 49-39, but committed 13 turnovers and were just 8-of-11 from the free throw line. Ole Miss came into the game as the nation’s leaders in free throws made.
“Hard fought game,” Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said. “Disappointed obviously we weren’t able to advance. We had opportunities, really proud of the effort. I thought our guys played extremely hard, battled. Put ourselves in position, but just couldn’t make enough plays.”
Saiz made only 6 of 29 field goal attempts in two games against Arkansas this season.
“I just couldn’t make it,” Saiz said. “They weren’t doing anything special. I just couldn’t put the ball inside the basket. I don’t know if I was trying to rush it or make all the plays. I just couldn’t get it to go in.”