Last-second tip-in dooms Razorbacks

Arkansas gets beat at the buzzer by Mississippi State From the Arkansas Razorbacks

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FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas erased a 17-point, second-half deficit – thanks to 38 points by Mason Jones, to take a lead with 1:45 left in the game but Mississippi State’s Abdul Ado tipped in a missed basket with sixtenths of a second left to give the Bulldogs a 78-77 win Saturday afternoon at Bud Walton Arena.

Arkansas was down 17, 56-39, with 14:37 to play. The Razorbacks picked up the defensive intensity and out-scored the Bulldogs 36-16 over the next 14 minutes to lead by three, 75-72, on a Desi Sills 3-pointer.

The Bulldogs ran off four straight points to regain the advantage, 76-75, after a steal and fastbreak layup by Tyson Carter. Jones drew a foul with 59 seconds left and sank both attempts to put the Hogs up one, 77-76.

On the ensuing possession, Arkansas got a stop on the defensive end. The Razorbacks could not capitalize, and Mississippi State had the ball with nine seconds remaining.

Carter drove the ball to the basket and missed a layup with one second left. Ado came in and tipped the ball in before the buzzer for the onepoint win.

Game Notes:

• Jones produced his sixth 30-point game of the season and, with six rebounds, had his 20th game with at least five boards.

• Jones was 18-of-21 at the free throw line.

The 18 makes are an Arkansas single-game record in an SEC game while ranking third (tied) overall.

• The 21 attempts are the second-most by a Razorback in an SEC game behind Corliss Williamson’s 22 in 1995 and ties for fifth-most overall.

• Sills added 15 for the Razorbacks and Adrio Bailey had 10.

• Carter paced the Bulldogs with 26 points with Reggie Perry adding 17. It’s a busy stretch for the Hogs, with three games in the next eight days. Arkansas will play at Florida (Tues – Feb 18) before returning home to host Missouri (Sat. Feb. 22) and Tennessee (Wed. – Feb. 26). The Florida game will be televised on ESPNU. Check your local listings for the Missouri and Tennessee games. Networks have not been announced.