Big 12-SEC Challenge: Arkansas 66, Oklahoma State 65

Sweating another out: Razorbacks survive Cowboys’ final effort

Arkansas guards Anton Beard (31) and Jaylen Barford (0) celebrate following the Razorbacks' 66-65 win over Oklahoma State on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Razorbacks keep winning the close ones.

It happened again Saturday when the Razorbacks beat Oklahoma State 66-65 in the Big 12-SEC Challenge before an announced crowd of 18,057 fans at Walton Arena.

The Cowboys had two shots at the basket in the final five seconds, but Jeffrey Carroll missed, then Mitchell Solomon couldn't finish on a stick-back attempt.

"We were just fortunate right there," Razorbacks Coach Mike Anderson said. "They had two tips at the ball and I don't know if there was some angel up there, but it just kept that ball out of the basket and we were able to get the win.

"It was a big win for us as we move forward in this season."

Oklahoma State Coach Mike Boynton couldn't complain about the shots his team got in the final seconds.

"We had some good looks there ... we get two layups," Boynton said. "You have got to make them.

"At the end of the day, I don't really have any excuse for them. We have got to make those plays."

Senior guard Daryl Macon led Arkansas (15-6) with 22 points. Senior forward Dustin Thomas had 9 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

Razorbacks senior guard Jaylen Barford, who came into the game averaging 19.4 points, was held to six on 2-of-11 shooting. Beard also was 2 of 11, but he had 6 assists without a turnover.

Junior guard Lindy Waters led the Cowboys (13-8) with 17 points and 7 rebounds, but had 5 turnovers. Solomon had 10 points.

Razorbacks senior forward Trey Thompson rebounded Solomon's miss with 2.5 seconds left and was fouled. He missed the free throw, but there wasn't enough time for the Cowboys to get off a good shot as Lindy Waters' long heave missed the basket and bounced off the backboard.

"It was a hard-fought game," Anderson said. "It wasn't a thing of beauty, but I thought it was two teams that were playing with their hearts."

Oklahoma State led 46-34 with 18:20 to play, but the Razorbacks turned up their intensity on defense to mount a comeback.

"Down that stretch I think we got a little rattled," Cowboys forward Cameron McGriff said.

The Cowboys had nine of their 16 turnovers in the second half as the Razorbacks scored several baskets in transition or on offensive rebounds with their extra possessions.

"We had several key turnovers and they cripple you, especially against a team like this that thrives in transition," Boynton said. "Certainly in this building, it gets the crowd into it. I don't think we ran bad offense, but the results weren't there."

Oklahoma State shot 50 percent (15 of 30) in the first half in taking a 40-32 lead, but was 5 of 22 in the second half.

"I thought our defense was totally different in the second half," Anderson said. " I thought we really ratcheted it up and made fatigue a factor going down the stretch."

Arkansas senior guard Anton Beard said the Razorbacks knew they had to start getting stops.

"We came together and locked in," Beard said. "I mean, we were tired of letting them score easy buckets and doing what they want to do, so we decided to pick it up a little bit more."

The Cowboys played without junior guard Tavarius Shine and senior guard Kendall Smith, their second- and third-leading scorers.

Shine, who averages 11.4 points, didn't play because of a left wrist injury. Smith, who averages 10.8 points, was out with the flu.

"It's not ideal," Boynton said. "You want to have as many guys as you can possibly have."

After Oklahoma State led for the game's first 29 minutes and 10 seconds, there were 13 lead chances in five ties the rest of the way.

Arkansas freshman forward Daniel Gafford scored the game-winning basket when he tipped in a missed jumper by Beard with 16 seconds left.

Anderson put Gafford -- who played just 14 minutes -- back into the game with 22 seconds left after he had been on the bench the previous 5:30 after drawing his fourth foul.

"Daniel sat there all those minutes, and right there at the end we needed a size guy," Anderson said. "Thank God I had him in there because he's a size guy that had energy and he tipped the ball in for the game-winning shot.

"So this is a team where each and every night it's going to be somebody different that steps up."

Boynton said there's no secret as to why Arkansas is 5-1 in games decided by four or fewer points.

"They have really good players," Boynton said. "They have guys that aren't afraid of the moment.

"They've been in these situations before. They have a toughness about them and they're really, really well coached.

"Winning close games are a sign of a really well-coached team."

Game sketch

RECORDS Arkansas 15-6, Oklahoma State 13-8 STARS Arkansas senior guard Daryl Macon (22 points). Oklahoma State sophomore guard Lindy Waters (17 points, 7 rebounds). TURNING POINT Oklahoma State missed two shots at the basket in the final five seconds. KEY STAT The Razorbacks outscored the Cowboys 20-9 in points off turnovers. UP NEXT Arkansas plays Texas A&M at 8 p.m. Tuesday at College Station, Texas.

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Sports on 01/28/2018