In The Lane

30-point club adds Gafford

Arkansas forward Daniel Gafford celebrates after making a shot during a game against LSU on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Daniel Gafford became the 48th University of Arkansas basketball player -- and third this season -- to join the 30-point club.

Gafford, a 6-11 sophomore from El Dorado, scored a career-high 32 points Saturday when LSU beat Arkansas 94-88 at Walton Arena.

Sophomore guard Mason Jones scored 30 points in the Razorbacks' 57-51 loss to Florida on Wednesday night, and freshman guard Isaiah Joe scored 34 in Arkansas' 121-89 victory over Florida International on Dec. 1.

Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said the Razorbacks needed to make getting the ball to Gafford a priority after he was 3 of 4 from the field against Florida. The Razorbacks responded and Gafford hit 14 of 19 shots against LSU.

"They had no answer for him," Anderson said of the Tigers. "Our guys did a much better job of finding him on time, and he did a good job of finishing.

"I thought he positioned himself closer to the basket. We wanted to make sure it was inside-out today."

Gafford said Anderson has told him good things happen when he touches the ball.

"Every time I touch it, I try to make the best play, try to score or I try to get it out to a shooter," Gafford said. "It's been one of the big focuses in practices.

"It led to the [big] game, so the sad thing is we just didn't come out on top tonight."

Gafford had more room to operate inside because LSU focused on defending three-point shooters -- especially Isaiah Joe and Mason Jones. The strategy worked as the Razorbacks shot 3 of 16 from beyond the arc.

Joe, who came into the game averaging an SEC-leading 3.6 made three-pointers, was 0 of 1. Jones, averaging 2.4 made three-pointers, was 2 of 5.

"Obviously, Joe and Jones are just lethal three-point shooters," LSU Coach Will Wade said. "But we let Jones just drive it all over us and we fouled him."

Jones hit 8 of 9 free throws and finished with 22 points.

Not sweet home

The Razorbacks fell to 7-4 in home games this season, including 0-2 in SEC play.

The four home losses are tied for the most in a season at Walton Arena in Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson's eight seasons.

Chaney responds

Freshman forward Reggie Chaney was big off the bench for Arkansas after going scoreless in five minutes against Florida.

Chaney had 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocked shots against LSU in 27 minutes.

"He got the minutes, and I thought he was able to go out and be productive in those minutes," Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said. "He was active out there, blocking shots, rebounding.

"On the screens where he switches he was guarding a guard. I mean, you knew he was out there."

Joe struggles

LSU made it tough for Arkansas freshman guard Isaiah Joe to get shots.

Joe, who came into the game averaging 14.8 points, was 2 of 5 from the field and scored five points.

"To me, he's got to figure out how to ... play a little stronger," Coach Mike Anderson said. "The scouting is getting after him."

Quick T

LSU freshman forward Naz Reid was called for a technical foul with 19:31 left in the first half -- one second after he dunked for the game's first points.

"The ball came to me, and as I was running," Reid said when asked why the technical was called, "I kind of swiped it out of my way. I wasn't really intentionally throwing it, but stuff like that happens. You just have to keep playing."

Super Sid

Sidney Moncrief, a Little Rock native and two-time All-American guard who starred on Arkansas' 1978 Final Four and 1979 Elite Eight teams, was honored during a break in the first half for his recent induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Moncrief was presented with a commemorative basketball by Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek and led the crowd in calling the Hogs while highlights of his Razorbacks playing career were shown on the scoreboard big screens. There also was a video tribute during halftime.

Moncrief was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 18.

"It brought exposure to Arkansas -- the program and the state," Moncrief said at halftime Saturday. "It was a good ceremony, as was today. A great honor.

"To be back here representing the University of Arkansas in this environment was really special."

Moncrief said he and Ron Brewer and Marvin Delph -- the famed "Triplets" on the Razorbacks' 1978 team because they all were 6-4 guards from Arkansas -- plan to visit Eddie Sutton, their coach, in Tulsa today. Sutton was Arkansas' coach for 11 seasons from 1975-85.

"Coach Sutton set a standard of excellence and competition," Moncrief said. "I always say the thing I loved about our teams was we competed."

Taking charge

Arkansas freshman guard Isaiah Joe took two charges in Saturday's game to give him a team-leading 12.

Joe drew an offensive foul from Skylar Mays with 18:23 left in the first half, and from Ja'Vonte Smart with 10:20 left in the second half.

Joe came into the game tied with sophomore forward Gabe Osabuohien with 10 charges taken apiece.

Sports on 01/13/2019