University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
12-7, 4-3SEC
Arkansas
16-4, 5-2SEC
Vols Hang With #25 Hogs, Fall 69-64
January 27, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 27, 2015
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Tennessee's mastery in road SEC games came to an end on Tuesday night, but not after nearly pulling off a fourth road win in a row at #25 Arkansas. The Vols hung with the league's highest scoring team before falling, 69-64, at Bud Walton Arena. The Vols (12-7, 4-3) were seeking a season sweep of the Razorbacks after beating them, 74-69, in Knoxville on Jan. 13.
Arkansas (16-4, 5-2) moved to 13-1 at home this season.
The game was tied 14 times and the lead change hands eight times as neither team led by more than seven points (when Arkansas scored the game's first seven points).
After scoring a career-high 16 points in the first meeting, sophomore Robert Hubbs III once again had a huge game with 15 points.
Senior Josh Richardson tallied a team-high 17 while junior Armani Moore scored 12 and grabbed six rebounds. Kevin Punter added 10 points.
The SEC's leading scorer Bobby Portis led the Razorbacks with 17 points, 13 in the first half. Michael Qualls scored 15 with 12 in the second half.
Rashad Madden knocked down a 3-pointer with 4:28 left to give the Razorbacks a 63-60 lead. Punter and Bell traded buckets to keep the game a one-possession contest with three minutes left.
The teams combined to miss the next six shots from the floor after Bell's jumper with 3:40 left.
The next points came from Madden with a pair of free throws with 1:03 left in the game to push Arkansas' lead to 67-62.
Richardson hit a jumper for the Vols with 52 seconds left, making it 67-64.
Punter stole the ball from Madden giving the Vols a chance to tie the game with 11.9 seconds left.
Hubbs' open 3-point attempt from the corner bounced off the rim three times before falling off where Qualls grabbed the rebound with 2.3 seconds left. Qualls hit two ensuing free throws to seal the win.
The game was tied 50, 54, 56, 58 and 60.
Arkansas used a 9-0 run to a take a 54-50 lead with 12:25 left in the game as Qualls knocked down a 3-pointer. But the Vols responded to tie the game at 54-54 on a Punter lay-up.
Tennessee had its highest scoring first half of the season, leading Arkansas 37-35 at intermission. The Vols surpassed their previous best of 33, set in the first meeting vs. the Razorbacks.
Hubbs was outstanding in the first half with 12 points to lead the Vols' attack. Portis led all scorers with 13 points.
Tennessee controlled the glass (21-13) and paint (18-16) over the first 20 minutes against the taller Razorbacks.
The Vols return home to host Auburn on Saturday at 12 Noon. That game airs on ESPN2 and can be heard on the Vol Network.
