National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Alabama 79, Arkansas 68
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, February 23, 2012
Where: Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Officials: # Anthony Jordan, # Michael Stephens, # Mike Stuart
Attendance: 12320

ALABAMA 79, ARKANSAS 68: Andrew Steele scored a career-high 15 points and had five rebounds to help Alabama to a crucial road victory, lifting the Crimson Tide into a three-way for fourth place in the Southeastern Conference.

Alabama (18-9, 7-6) had four players score in double figures and won its second straight and for the fifth time in seven games. Rodney Cooper (17), Nick Jacobs (14), and Travis Releford (14) were also in double digits.

Arkansas (17-11, 5-8) lost its second straight home game after winning 17 in a row at the Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks were led by B.J. Young with 21 points, 17 in the first half, and five assists before fouling out with 1:52 remaining. Rickey Scott added 12 points for Arkansas, which fell into a tie with Ole Miss for eighth place in the SEC.

Arkansas led by as many as 12 in the first half, surging ahead 33-21 with 7:31 remaining. But Alabama went on a 19-6 to take a 40-39 lead with 1:33 left and held a 45-41 edge at halftime. The Tide continued to build their lead, which swelled to 15 points in the second half.

GAME NOTEBOOK: JaMychal Green was reinstated by coach Anthony Grant, but did not play. Grant hasn’t said when the suspended Green will play again. ... Alabama is 16-1 when leading at halftime. ... Alabama made six 3-pointers in the first half, but none in the second half. ... The last time Alabama scored 70 points was against Arkansas on Jan. 28.
Top Game Performances
 
Alabama   Arkansas
Rodney Cooper 17 Scoring B.J. Young 21
Levi Randolph 3 Assists B.J. Young 5
Trevor Releford 6 Rebounds Devonta Abron 10
Andrew Steele 8 Free Throws Made Devonta Abron 5
Trevor Releford 3 Steals Julysses Nobles 2
Carl Engstrom 1 Blocks Devonta Abron 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Alabama 79 55.1 6-11 19-28 10 27 3 6 16
Arkansas 68 48.9 8-17 16-25 13 24 2 7 18
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