By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said his team had to improve on the boards and at the free-throw line after struggling with both during last Wednesday’s loss at Ole Miss.
The Razorbacks weren’t outstanding in either category against LSU on Saturday night. But they did just enough to beat the Tigers.
Arkansas fought its way to a 69-60 win in front of a season-high announced crowd of 14,800 on Saturday night, keeping its record unblemished in Bud Walton Arena this season.
The Razorbacks were outrebounded 46-38 and went 16-for-28 from the free-throw line, but won behind solid 3-point shooting (9 of 18) and a defense that forced 16 turnovers.
Guards BJ Young (19 points), Julysses Nobles (15) and Mardracus Wade (14) led the way for the Hogs, who are 13-0 in Fayetteville.
“We put that loss behind us,” Young said of the Ole Miss struggles. “We wanted to come out this game with a lot of energy.”
The Razorbacks (13-4, 2-1 in Southeastern Conference) did so Saturday night, although Anderson said it was pretty clear his team was pressing too much to make something happen in the first half. Both teams struggled from the field early, missing shot after shot.
Arkansas finally found most of its early success from behind the 3-point line, going 5-for-12 in the first half. By comparison, the Razorbacks were just 4-for-16 inside the arc.
“The first half we missed a lot of easy shots, layups,” Anderson said. “Shots we normally make. But LSU packed their defense in, they went zone. … It’s going to leave guys open and they’ve got to make shots. We made shots.”
Arkansas did take a lead into the locker room thanks to a last-second drive from Young, which resulted in a foul call. He made one free-throw to give the Hogs a 30-29 edge.
Arkansas was much improved in the second half, making its key run after LSU (11-6, 1-2) took a 33-32 lead on Andre Stringer’s 3-pointer.
Guard Ky Madden — who started the second half in place of Rickey Scott — knocked down a jumper to kick off a 9-0 run. Michael Sanchez scored on a putback a little later, Wade made his third 3-pointer, then forward Devonta Abron scored a bucket inside to cap it.
The spurt helped gave the Hogs a 41-33 lead, which, at the time, was its largest.
LSU, which got a game-high 20 points from center Justin Hamilton, made several runs at the Razorbacks the rest of the night. But the Tigers could never got closer than four points because Arkansas answered each time.
“Our guys did a good job of holding their composure,” Anderson said. “We didn’t panic.”
One of the key moments came with 3:02 remaining, when Young grabbed a rebound and sprinted downcourt. The lightning-quick freshman made a layup and was fouled.
He knocked down the free throw to complete the three-point play, which made it 61-52 lead.
“We just came up short because they made plays down the stretch and we didn’t,” LSU coach Trent Johnson said. “They’ve got some guys that make some plays.”
Young finished 2-for-4 from 3-point range in the win, while Wade (3-for-4) and Nobles (3-for-5) also made multiple shots.
Arkansas finished shooting 50 percent from behind the 3-point line (9-for-18) and were 13-for-34 (38.2 percent) inside the arc.
“As a team we took the open shot and we moved the ball well,” Young said of the long-range shooting. “Guys came in and knocked big shots down. We knocked shots down when we had to.”
The Razorbacks also rebounded when they had to against the Tigers on Saturday night.
Arkansas may have been beaten on the boards, but Anderson was complimentary of his team’s effort late. Freshman Devonta Abron led the way with 13 rebounds before fouling out in the final minutes. Nobles picked up the slack when he exited, finishing with six boards.
Nobles also was credited for his leadership down the stretch, helping Arkansas finish off the Tigers at the free-throw line. Arkansas went 8-for-12 from the line in the final 1:21 — Nobles was 4-for-6 — to cap the home win.
“We’re in a race,” Anderson said after Arkansas’ third SEC games. “If you’re going to have a shot, you’ve got to take care of the home court. We take pride in that.”
