Arkansas’ five-game winning streak in the SEC came to an end on Saturday as the Hogs fell to Alabama 68-73 in Tuscaloosa.
Courtney Fortson led the Hogs with 18 points and Mike Washington added 12 points in the losing effort.
“Alabama played very well in the second half,” John Pelphrey said after the game. “We didn’t do some fundamental things. We are certainly disappointed.”
Arkansas was up by as many as 13 points in the first half and looked as though they were on its way to winning a sixth straight SEC game. Alabama closed to within nine at the half to stay within striking distance.
The second half was a different story. After two Marshawn Powell baskets to open the period, Arkansas managed only three points over the next six minutes. Alabama took advantage of the Hogs’ cold shooting, and four Arkansas turnovers during that stretch, to go on a 14-3 run to tie the game at 45 on a Charvez Davis three-pointer with 14:14 left to play.
Alabama took its first lead of the second half on a Mikhail Torrance free throw with 12:56 left, and led by as many as seven in the second half.
Arkansas battled back, though. The Hogs went on an 8-0 run to take a one point lead with just over two minues left to play, 65-64.
Alabama’s Anthony Brock stopped the Hogs run with a huge three-pointer with 2:09 left, which put Alabama up for good. The Tide made six straight free throws down the stretch to ice the game, and were 11-13 from the line in the second half.
Free throw shooting proved to be a key stat in the game. Arkansas hit just six out of 12 free throws, while Alabama made 22 of 29. Alabama also out-rebounded the Hogs 32-20, and the Tide grabbed nine of its 10 offensive rebounds in the second half.
The loss drops the Hogs to 13-12 on the year, and after gaining sole possession of first place in the SEC West last week, the Hogs are now tied with Mississippi State, with both teams at 6-4 in SEC play.
Next up, the Hogs take on South Carolina at Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday. The game will tip off at 8:00 p.m., and will be televised by CSS.
