FAYETTEVILLE — Hogs reap reward for extra work
Arkansas’ 77-76 victory over No. 22 Kentucky was its first of the season in overtime.
Arkansas had been outscored 35-14 in overtime losses to UAB, Texas A&M and South Carolina, scoring less than a point a minute in the extra periods.
“It’s huge,” Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke said.
“We made that a focal point before the overtime even started, that we hadn’t won in overtime this year.”
Arkansas got a put back basket by Marshawn Powell, a three-pointer from Julysses Nobles and a Marcus Britt layup on the break after a pass from Jeff Peterson to outscore the ‘Cats 7-6 in overtime.
“I don’t know if I said anything inspiring,” Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey said.
“You get into overtime and you’re eventually going to push one through.”1-2 punch
Arkansas’ Rotnei Clarke and Marshawn Powell combined to score 48 of Arkansas’ 77 points. Powell had 22 points and a season best 10 rebounds.
Free-throw frenzy
Arkansas’ Rotnei Clarke made seven free throws in the span of 16 seconds in the second half to take the Hogs from a 43-37 deficit into a 44-43 lead.
Marshawn Powell converted an old-fashioned three-point play a minute later to give Arkansas a 10-0 run over a 1:29 span.
Clarke’s first free throws came after he was fouled by Josh Harrellson on a three point attempt. After a steal moments later, DeAndre Liggins fouled Clarke on a layup then drew a technical foul. Clarke made all four shots.
Later on, Clarke converted a four-point play to put the Hogs ahead 64-61.
The junior hit 11 of 12 free throws to lead the Hogs’ 14 of 18 evening at the line.
Low to loud
One week after drawing a Walton Arena record low crowd of 5,121 for its game against Florida A&M, the Razorbacks played before a season-high estimated crowd of 14,073 against Kentucky.
Block time
Rotnei Clarke, a 6-footer, erased 6-6 guard DeAndre Liggins’ put back attempt in the first half for his first blocked shot of the season.
Clarke has four career blocked shots.
Eddie’s back
Eddie Sutton, who coached at Arkansas and Kentucky, attended Wednesday night’s game. He smiled when asked if he was pulling for the Razorbacks or Wildcats.
“I still have a lot of Razorback in me,” said Sutton, who coached Arkansas to nine consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances before leaving for Kentucky in 1985.
Sutton turned Arkansas into a national power in the late 1970s, and it pained him to hear how attendance has fallen off for the Hogs.
“I don’t understand why the crowds aren’t better,” he said. “Maybe the fans got spoiled over the years.”
Nolan Richardson, who succeeded Sutton as Arkansas’ coach and led the Razorbacks to the 1994 NCAA championship, said Tuesday the fans will return in big numbers if the Razorbacks win.
“I’m sure he’s right,” Sutton said. “This is still a special place.”
Sutton, 74, last coached during the 2007-2008 season at the University of San Francisco. He said he misses some aspects of coaching, notably the everyday contact with assistant coaches and players.
“I don’t really miss the games,” said Sutton, who now lives in Tulsa. “And I certainly don’t miss the recruiting.” Sutton’s ties
Wednesday night marked the first time Eddie Sutton had attended an Arkansas home game since Jan. 6, 2009, when the Razorbacks beat Texas 67-61.
Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey played for Sutton at Kentucky and was a graduate assistant for him at Oklahoma State, and Razorbacks assistant Rob Evans was an Oklahoma State assistant with Sutton.
“I called Rob earlier this week about coming over for this game,” Sutton said. “I said, ‘Hopefullly, I can bring you some good luck.’ ”
Cal denied 500
Kentucky Coach John Calipari failed in his first attempt for his 500th victory as a college head coach.
Calipari’s combined college record at UMass, Memphis and Kentucky is now 499-151.
Quick start
The early pace, up and down the floor, seemed to be to Arkansas’ liking.
Guard Marcus Britt nabbed a long rebound, dribbled behind his back at midcourt to elude a defender and made a layup to open the scoring.
Less than three minutes in, Rotnei Clarke and Marshawn Powell added three-pointers and Jeff Peterson made a driving layup to put the Hogs ahead 10-5. A Clarke three-pointer at the 14:04 mark gave the Razorbacks a 17-9 lead and brought the Walton Arena crowd to a crescendo.
Sports, Pages 22 on 02/24/2011