FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Razorbacks guard Daryl Macon continued his streak of 20-point games Tuesday by scoring a game-high 25 points in an 81-65 victory over South Carolina at Walton Arena.
Macon extended his streak to six consecutive games with 20-plus points, the first Razorback to achieve that since Corliss Williamson had six in a row during the 1994-1995 season, and also had eight in a row in 1993-1994.
Macon's performance was highlighted by a 12-of-13 showing at the free-throw line that improved his season free-throw accuracy to 87.8 percent (101 of 115).
"Is that in the history books?" Macon said. "Is that the most? I wouldn't be able to do any of that without these guys. They find me when I'm open. Big shout-out to those guys."
South Carolina Coach Frank Martin said a Macon three-pointer late in the shot clock during a 13-2 Arkansas run was deflating.
"We got a chance on a baseline out of bounds late in the clock, and they throw it to Macon in the corner and he dribbles [Chris] Silva out of the corner and no one bumped him off and Chris just left him," Martin said. "I think you could have taken my fat rear end out there and I would have made that shot.
"I don't understand how you leave the leading three-point shooter in the league. Just leave him. Don't guard him, like it's not on the scouting report."
Macon also hit a 30-foot three-pointer at the end of the shot clock on the Hogs' first possession of the second half.
"He's trusting his teammates and they're trusting him," Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said. "He's getting to the line. Tonight it was more getting to the line."
Swat surge
The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville blocked seven shots, which came as no surprise to South Carolina Coach Frank Martin.
"We lead the country in shots getting blocked," Martin said. "That's not an exaggeration. It's unfortunate, but that's a true stat."
South Carolina entered the night with 350 shots blocked, indeed the highest total in the country, with 14.8 percent of its shots swatted.
"I'm telling you, you want to get confidence in your defense, play against us," Martin said. "We'll turn it over and we'll shoot it right into your guy so he can block shots and feel good about himself."
Bombing Barford
Arkansas guard Jaylen Barford had his long-range stroke engaged against the Gamecocks.
Barford tied a career high with five three-pointers and finished with 24 points on 5-of-9 shooting beyond the arc. He also had five three-pointers at Florida.
Barford's scoring average had dropped by nearly a point in the past three games after he combined for 40 points against Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and LSU. The 6-3, 202-pounder had made 6 of 15 three-point shots during that stretch.
Block, steal, 3
A strong defensive possession led to a three-point play and the Razorbacks' largest lead of the first half.
South Carolina's Chris Silva rebounded a miss from teammate Kory Holden and tried a short jumper, which was swatted by Arkansas' Daniel Gafford. Evan Hinson picked up the loose ball for the Gamecocks, but Daryl Macon raked it away and started a one-man break, on which he was fouled by Justin Minaya while making a layup.
He completed the three-point play for a 32-24 Arkansas lead at the 7:28 mark.
Mike and Frank
Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson improved his head-to-head record against South Carolina's Frank Martin to 9-7, including 5-3 in SEC games.
The two friends have met in 10 of the past 11 years. Anderson and Martin split eight games while Anderson was at Missouri and Martin at Kansas State in the Big 12.
Line game
South Carolina converted 17 of 20 free throws for 85 percent. The Razorbacks made 23 of 29 tries at the line for 79.3 percent, their highest total since making 80 percent in a 97-93 victory over Ole Miss on Jan. 20.
Starting out
Adrio Bailey returned to the starting lineup for the 12th time this season and the first since Jan. 27 against Oklahoma State. Daryl Macon started for the second consecutive game and the 19th time this year. Jaylen Barford and Anton Beard have started all 24 games. Daniel Gafford started his 16th game in a row.
Rookie sixth
Gabe Osabuohien checked in at the 15:53 mark for Bailey as the Hogs' sixth man, the first time for the freshman to fill that role. Trey Thompson also came in for Gafford at that time.
Osabuohien played a season-high 17 minutes and contributed 4 rebounds and 2 assists, including a key offensive rebound that led to a Jaylen Barford three-pointer with 8:31 remaining for a 66-54 Hogs lead.
4-point trip
Daryl Macon scored four points on one trip when the Razorbacks were trailing 16-11.
Macon went to the line after drawing a flagrant foul on a layup by guard David Beatty. He made 1 of 2 free throws but the Hogs kept possession. A few moments later, he drove the right baseline and picked up a foul on Frank Booker while making a layup. Macon converted the three-point play to make it 16-15 at the 13:35 mark.
Foreign flair
The Gamecocks have just one player on their roster from South Carolina and five international players: Khadim Gueye from Senegal, Felipe Haase from Chile, Ibrahim Famouke Doumbia from Mali, Maik Kotsar from Estonia and Chris Silva from Gabon.
Tip-ins
• Arkansas freshman Daniel Gafford had three opportunities for three-point plays. The 6-11 forward cashed in the first, which gave the Hogs a 7-6 lead at the 17:12 mark. But he missed the free throw on his other two tries in the second half.
• South Carolina dropped its season-high fourth consecutive game. The losses have come by an average of 12.8 points per game.
Sports on 02/07/2018