Junior guard Mason Jones became the first Arkansas player ever to post three consecutive 30-point games, but it wasn't enough as No. 11 Auburn overcame an 11-point, second-half deficit to beat the Razorbacks 79-76 in overtime Tuesday night in Fayetteville, Ark.
Jones scored 40 points to back up efforts of 34 and 30 his previous two games, but missed a rushed 3-point attempt with a second left that could have sent the game to a second extra period.
Guard Samir Doughty scored 23 points, including a pair of free throws with 9.8 seconds remaining for the final margin, and guard J'Von McCormick scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half and overtime for the Tigers (20-2, 7-2). Auburn outscored the short-handed Razorbacks 15-4 over the last six minutes of regulation and 10-7 in the extra period.
Forward Isaac Okoro scored 14 points and snatched seven rebounds, and forward Anfrenee McLemore had 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Tigers won the boards 44-27, leading to a 16-6 advantage in second-chance points.
The Razorbacks (16-6, 4-5) had a pair of 11-point leads in the second half, the last at 65-54 with 5:59 left before the Tigers began chipping away.
McCormick's driving layup with 2:15 on the clock capped a 12-1 run that tied the game at 66-66 with 2:15 left. His 3-pointer with 1:43 remaining gave the Tigers a 69-68 lead that stood until Jones' free throw with 36 seconds remaining in regulation.
Arkansas was without sophomore guard Isaiah Joe, who had knee surgery earlier in the day. He is averaging 16 points and 4.3 rebounds a game and is second in the team in steals with 31.
The contest was the only scheduled meeting between the two SEC rivals in the regular season.
--Field Level Media
Auburn | Arkansas | |
Samir Doughty 23 | Scoring | Mason Jones 40 |
J'Von McCormick 3 | Assists | Mason Jones 5 |
Anfernee McLemore 10 | Rebounds | Adrio Bailey 7 |
J'Von McCormick 6 | Free Throws Made | Mason Jones 11 |
Isaac Okoro 2 | Steals | Desi Sills 4 |
Devan Cambridge 1 | Blocks | Adrio Bailey 1 |