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Serving notice : Razorbacks drop Texas for second top-10 upset in a week Published: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 PRINT E-MAIL ![]() ANTHONY REYES Northwest Arkansas Times Arkansas junior guard Stefan Welsh (14) puts a shot over Texas junior guard Justin Mason (24) in the first half Tuesday in Bud Walton Arena. Welsh had 20 points in the Hogs' 67-61 win. Arkansas' suddenly become All-American candidate dunked over Texas' renowned All-American candidate and powered the Razorbacks to a stunning 67-61 upset over the seventh-ranked Longhorns Tuesday night at Walton Arena. Michael Washington, 6-9, posted up and over heralded 6-7 junior Damion James for a huge bucket that induced a foul and completed a 3-point play with 22.5 seconds left in the game for a 65-61 lead. Texas' A.J. Abrams, the guard with 19-point average but only scoring 7 on Arkansas, fired up three 3-point misses and Arkansas rebounded and closed with Stefan Welsh's layup to seal the deal and add the Longhorns to fourth-ranked Oklahoma among the national elite to fall at Walton Arena. Arkansas takes a 12-1 record into its SEC opener against Mississippi State Saturday night at Walton. Texas of the Big 12 falls to 11-3. With a game-leading 22 points and 9 rebounds, Washington just missed his eighth double-double.
But none of those, or any Razorback shot he's been a part of other than Steven Hill's buzzer-beater to beat Tennessee in last season's SEC semifinal, ranks as a bigger shot during Arkansas coach John Pelphrey's two-year tenure. "As a moment in time," Pelphrey said, "with everything so vivid and so pumped up it's right up there with Steven's shot and Sonny Weems' great NCAA Tournament game last year. And defensively we were able to limit one of the best scorers [Abrams, 3 of 16] in the country." Welsh, playing the point much of the first half as Fortson was foultroubled, scored 20. Fortson overcame the foul trouble and six turnovers for a 13-points/10 rebounds double-double. James, 17 points, led Texas and forward Gary Johnson netted a 15 points/12 rebounds Texas doubledouble. "We beat a great team tonight," Pelphrey said. "I'm not ready to say we're better than Texas, but it was our night tonight." Texas coach Rick Barnes praised Arkansas and added, "I was upset with the way we played. We were so inept offensively. And we had no answer for Washington." Texas outrebounded Arkansas, 50-37 but only hit 24 of 62 from the field including 1 of 14 treys. The Longhorns were without injured forward Connor Atchley, but Abrams said, "We're going to have games with people out. We have to come together. Arkansas played well." With Washington and Fortson both in first-half foul trouble, the Hogs trailed by four at intermission and played second-half catchup until taking their first lead, 47-46 on Washington's fall-down 3-point play. Texas led by eight with 15:08 left and was up 52-46 with 9:05 left when Arkansas started an 11-0 run including a Washington 3-pointer as the shot clock was about to expire. Though playing much of the first half with both top hands tied behind its back, Arkansas only trailed, 31-27 at intermission. Washington and Fortson combined did as much sitting as playing in the first half. Fortson picked up two fouls by 17:04 and didn't return but for one cameo until the half's final 8:18. Other than sinking 5 of 6 free throws, Fortson struggled in the first half committing five turnovers versus a lone assist and missing both shots he took from the field. It was Washington whom the Hogs missed most. The 6-9 junior forward had skewered the Longhorns for seven points and six rebounds when he called for his second foul at 11:45. He did not play the remainder of the half that Arkansas led 13-6 when he was going strong but soon trailed without him. The Hogs went scoreless from 10:47 to 5:43 during a Texas 9-0 run. Somehow, despite shooting only 10 of 34 from the first-half field including just 1 for 11 from the field and its big inside game sitting within Washington on the bench, the Hogs kept it close. The Longhorns had some bum steers in their first-half game. Abrams, Texas' leading scorer for the season, scored zip in the first, 0 for 7 from the field and 0 for 7 on treys. The Longhorns shot 0 for 9 collectively on first-half treys and just 11 for 35 from the first-half field. Other than reserve center Clint Chapman, three fouls, the Longhorns suffered no individual first-half foul trouble though they committed just one less foul than Arkansas' first-half 10. Razorback freshman reserve guard Jason Henry of West Memphis played in the first half for the first time after missing just three games since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery just before Christmas. More Stories From: NATE ALLEN · Petrino dismisses Battle after 2nd arrest · SEC, Arkansas looking to shake off sub-par seasons · UA linebacker Khiry Battle arrested on suspicion of DUI · Diamond Hogs' tough schedule paid off in the end · Ex-UA coach Richardson speaks at All-Star clinic Yesterday's Most Popular 1. HOG FUTURES JERRY MITCHELL : Hurricane brings Mitchell to Hogs 2. THE RECRUITING GUY : Purifoy's size fits into UA's plans 3. Iowa prep standout Kelly joins UA track 4. Former Diamond Hog Richards inks contract with Marlins Today's Most E-mailed |
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