Arkansas Razorbacks 99, LSU Tigers 86: On Schedule

This was like the anti-A&M game.

Arkansas scraped together a come-from-behind win in College Station while only scoring 62 points on Tuesday. Tonight they scored 99 and led wire-to-wire. Both teams shot over 50% tonight.

It was the game of the season for Moses Kingsley. He got off to a hot start on his jump shooting and ended up with a season-high 24 points and 7 rebounds. He fought inside when he had to, but he had his jump shot working, including hitting his fifth three of the season. It was really the first time this year we’ve seen an SEC Player of the Year type of performance from him.

Kingsley also joined Arkansas’ 1,000-point club tonight. He’s the 40th Razorback to do so. He’s got at least 13 more games to climb those lofty rankings.

This was not a game with much drama. LSU started out making just one of their first 11 shots, so Arkansas’ lead first reached double digits just seven minutes into the game. LSU did actually get within striking distance toward the end of the game when they cut the lead to six with 2:30 to play, but Jaylen Barford scored four quick baskets and Dusty Hannahs hit a long three in the final minute to give Arkansas the comfortable final margin.

Hannahs, Barford, Daryl Macon and Anton Beard all scored between 14-16 points. Beard started at point guard and also had 7 assists. Arlando Cook started again and scored 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Manny Watkins, who played a hero role at A&M, only played for two minutes. He was under the weather tonight. Fortunately Arkansas didn’t need him. Dustin Thomas didn’t play in the first half due to a team violation. He still ended up with 4 fouls.

LSU hasn’t been very good this season. They’re now 1-6 in conference play this season. Arkansas won’t get a ton of credit for winning this one. The Hogs did what they had to do. And now they move on to a big opportunity week. They travel to Vanderbilt, who is fresh off a road upset over Florida, and at Oklahoma State, fresh off a road upset over Texas Tech, in the SEC/Big 12 Classic. Both games are chances for Arkansas to build up some key RPI points.

Also, two teams combined for 50 fouls. It’s officially an SEC Hardwood Classic.