Lykes' 'dynamic flair' punctuates win over Bulldogs

Arkansas guard Chris Lykes (11) celebrates with Jaylin Williams (10) after hitting a 3-point shot against Mississippi State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Fayetteville. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

FAYETTEVILLE — Eric Musselman was in the shadow of the Razorback logo that completes the Nolan Richardson Court emblem near the Arkansas bench when Chris Lykes rose for a three-pointer with 29 seconds remaining against Mississippi State on Saturday.

Moments earlier, Musselman motioned with a waving right arm for the four players off the ball to move toward the baseline in an obvious attempt to milk the game clock. Then, suddenly, Lykes stepped into an off-the-dribble three from the right wing.

Musselman frantically threw his right arm in the direction of the back court twice. In that moment, it was not the shot he was looking for. But it did wind up being the dagger that sealed the Razorbacks’ 63-55 victory over the Bulldogs.

More from WholeHogSports: Full coverage from Arkansas' win over MSU

Seated behind the scorers table, radio play-by-play broadcaster Chuck Barrett raised both arms above his head when the shot went down. Assistant coach Clay Moser and director of scouting and analytics Hays Myers both reacted to the score by placing both hands behind their heads.

Bud Walton Arena ascended into a state of delirium.

"Um, it was a good shot,” Lykes said with a smile.

The 5-7 guard was a spark plug for Arkansas in its eighth consecutive win overall and seventh in a row in SEC play. He finished with 10 points in his 20 minutes off the bench and hit 4 of 8 shots, including 2 of 3 threes.

Lykes continued Saturday what has been something of a resurgence in productivity. He added 6 points in 8 minutes in the win over West Virginia; 9 points, 7 assists and 4 steals at Georgia; and against Mississippi State his first double-digit scoring effort since the teams’ first meeting on Dec. 29.

“On Chris’ shot, maybe you try to run some more clock,” a grinning Musselman said. “But that’s kind of who he is. We knew recruiting him that he’s got this dynamic flair to his game. He’s a different player for us the last two games, for sure.

“He’s had a different approach as well the last couple of games.”

VIDEO: Eric Musselman, players recap win over Bulldogs

Both sides got off to a slow start offensively. Bulldogs guard Iverson Molinar knocked down a jumper with 9:38 remaining in the first half and tied the game 12-12. Then Lykes spearheaded an 8-0 run that brought life into the Razorbacks and the arena.

In a 35-second span, he knocked down a left-wing three-pointer to give Arkansas a 17-12 lead, came away with a steal after digging the ball out on a Mississippi State post-up, then assisted on a JD Notae layup.

Lykes went on to score seven of his 10 points in the second half. Again, he ignited an 8-0 run with 8:38 to play by connecting on a two-point jumper from the left wing then later adding a layup. 

His second three-pointer of the game with less than 30 seconds to play was the cherry on top. It also gave him his first game with multiple threes since Dec. 18.

Entering the weekend, Lykes was 2 of his last 14 from deep.

"It just came down to this is my last year in college basketball,” Lykes said. “I didn't want to be on the sidelines watching. That's cool, too, supporting my teammates, but I wanted to be out there with them seeing how hard they were playing.”

Musselman also commended Lykes for his efforts on the defensive end. Of late, he has been more effective using his leverage.

PHOTO GALLERY: Arkansas beats Mississippi State 63-55

“(He’s) getting under people and bothering them,” Musselman said. “I’ve had small guards like Earl Boykins and Speedy Claxton, and guys like that who really get up into you and make life miserable even dribbling. I think he’s done that the last couple games and we’ve allowed him to gamble a little bit more, too, when he’s not on the ball, coming down on the post.

“His steals and activity defensively has been way better.”

Lykes said he simply does not want to be a defensive liability for the Razorbacks. According to StatBroadcast, he had four defensive stops Saturday, tied for third most on the team.

“I know that if I play defense and I'm locked in on the game plan from the coaching staff and what they want us to do, I'll get some minutes out there,” he said. “All it is is playing hard, and my teammates kept pushing me and told me to keep going."