By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas point guard Courtney Fortson was back on the floor Tuesday, winding his way through the Texas defense in his first action of the season.
He broke down defenders one-on-one. He knocked down a pair of 3-pointers. He found teammates cutting to the hoop. He got others open looks behind the 3-point line.
But for everything the energetic and frenetic point guard brought to the court, there were two things he couldn’t help solve in a 96-85 loss to No. 2 Texas: The Razorbacks’ problems with defense and rebounding.
The Longhorns spoiled Fortson’s season debut by leaning on their depth, athleticism and strength around the basket in front of a season-high crowd of 12,865 in Bud Walton Arena. Center Dexter Pittman and forward Damion James helped Texas shoot 58.8 percent from the field, grab a 43-27 edge rebounding edge and outscore the Razorbacks 50-36 in the paint in the win.
“Our problems (Tuesday) were Texas,” Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. “Physically, those guys are very gifted. You’re going to have issues there. …
“You could be trying to do the right things and get beat by James and Pittman.”
The tandem gave Texas its 14th straight win to start the season and helped it avenge last year’s loss in Fayetteville. It also handed the Razorbacks their third straight nonconference loss, dropping them to 7-8 heading into Southeastern Conference play.
But Arkansas does so with confidence. And it has everything to do with Fortson’s return from suspension.
Players found out the sophomore — who had missed 14 games — was back when they arrived at the arena and he was in the lineup. Fortson’s impact was obvious early, igniting an offense that needed a playmaker.
“The tempo of the game changes when he’s in it,” said forward Marshawn Powell, who scored 19 points. “He controls the floor, our team, tempo-wise, attitude-wise, all that. It’s a different game when he’s in the game.”
Behind Fortson, the Razorbacks turned in their best half of the season and went into the locker room tied 48-48 with Texas. He, Powell and Rotnei Clarke combined to score 38 of Arkansas’ points before the break.
But Texas seized momentum in the second half thanks to Pittman. The 6-foot-10, 290-pound senior bullied the Razorbacks around the basket en route to his team’s first seven points of the half, which gave them a 57-50 lead. Pittman scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
“It was like a little point guard trying to guard Shaq,” said Powell, who was matched up with Pittman at times because center Michael Washington was in foul trouble all night. “Impossible. That dude, he’s a man.”
Texas led by as many as 11 points before the Razorbacks made a run behind Fortson. The Razorbacks cut Texas’ lead to 86-84 after a Washington follow, but James made a jumper on the next possession and scored eight of his team’s final 12 points to hold off Arkansas.
“That’s what I’m supposed to do,” said James, who scored 20 points and grabbed 9 rebounds despite being limited to 17 minutes because of foul trouble.
Clarke finished with 24 points to lead four Razorbacks in double figures. Fortson had 19 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 6 turnovers and 2 steals in his debut.
Pelphrey said it was a good start from Fortson, who played 33 minutes Tuesday night.
“I thought he did well,” Pelphrey said. “I thought he had some great passes. I thought he got us a few layups. … I thought that late in the game, especially, he made some defensive plays down there. He’s got some toughness. He had a couple of rebounds. I don’t think he’s in game-shape yet, but I thought he did very well.”
Arkansas is hoping Fortson will be even better when conference play begins. The Razorbacks open SEC play at Mississippi State on Jan. 14 and Pelphrey said the Razorbacks will spend the time working on problems and getting Fortson even more involved in their plans.
But even after a loss, Clarke believes Fortson’s return has given the Razorbacks new life.
“He definitely brings a whole other level to this team,” Clarke said. “He just gets us amped up seeing him out there. Knowing that he’s back, it gives us a lot of momentum going into SEC play and that’s what we need.”
