Sure, Morgan State are the defending champion of the MEAC conference. And sure, they recently took #22 Louisville to the wire in a 90-81 loss last week. And Morgan State could very possibly be an NCAA tournament team this year, but they are still Morgan State, and Arkansas still lost to them at home Tuesday night 97-94.
Arkansas finished with 4 players in double figures, led by Rotnei Clarke with 26 and Michael Washington with 21 points, but Arkansas could not stop Morgan State guard Reggie Williams, who finished with 34 points to help the Bears to victory.
Arkansas shot over 57% from the field in the first half, and went into the lockerroom with a 6 point lead at the half.
But Morgan State methodically climbed back into the game, and tied it at 63 on a three pointer by Joe Davis at the 11:37 mark in the second half. The Bears didn’t get their first lead, though until DeWayne Jackson’s three pointer put Morgan State up 77-76 with 5:30 remaining in the game.
Morgan State stretched the lead to 5 points in the closing minutes of the game, and a couple late three-pointers by Rotnei Clarke got Arkansas in a position for a game tying shot as time expired. Clarke missed an off balance three at the buzzer, and Arkansas became the first SEC opponent that Morgan State has ever beaten.
Lame.
Next up, the Hogs will take on East Tennessee State on Friday Night at Bud Walton Arena. Tip off is at 7:00 pm, and the game will be televised by RSN.
