Razorbacks rally to win over Missouri
BY KURT VOIGT Associated Press
Sunday, February 17, 2013
2/17/13 at 7:32 AM
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - BJ Young let his play remind everyone that Arkansas coach Mike Anderson wasn't the only one with a point to prove against Missouri.
Young, a St. Louis native, scored seven points in the final 29.3 seconds - including a pair of three-point plays - to help the Razorbacks rally for a 73-71 win over the Tigers on Saturday.
The win is the first over Missouri for Anderson, who is in his second season at Arkansas after leaving the Tigers.
For all of the pre-game talk about Anderson's ties to the school where he coached for five years, however, it was Young who saved his best for last.
The Razorbacks (16-9, 7-5 SEC) trailed 70-66 with less than a minute remaining, but Young - who was recruited by Anderson while he was at Missouri - converted on back-to-back three-point plays to put them up 72-71. He then added a free throw to secure the win.
"It was big for me; coach Anderson, too," Young said. "That was big for both of us, and the rest of the team just kept encouraging us.
"It was a big game, but I was pretty revved up for this one, too."
Marshawn Powell led Arkansas with 24 points, while Young had 18 and Coty Clarke added 13 for the Razorbacks - who are now 15-1 at home this season. Their only loss came Nov. 30 to No. 6 Syracuse.
Missouri was left to ponder what might have been following the crushing last minute of play against its former coach.
Keion Bell led the Tigers (18-7, 7-5) with a season-high 25 points, while Earnest Ross added 16. They appeared to have the game under control after Bell's two free throws put them up 70-66 with 38.3 seconds remaining, but they had no answer for Young.
"I thought he stepped up and showcased the player he can be and that he's capable of being," Anderson said. "That's what he does. He makes plays for our basketball team."
Missouri trailed by as many as seven points in the second half, but it took a 67-65 lead on a Paul Pressey jumper with 1:02 remaining. The Tigers then extended their lead to 70-66 after the free throws by Bell.
Young responded on the other end with a layup and was fouled, and his free throw cut the lead to 70-69. After Jabari Brown made only one of two free throws on the other end for Missouri, Young did the exact same thing, sending the season-high crowd of 19,004 in Bud Walton Arena crowd into a frenzy against the SEC newcomer and budding rival.
Young's lay-up with 19.6 seconds left tied the game at 71-71 and his free throw put Arkansas up for good.
ARKANSAS 73, MISSOURI 71
| Missouri |
33 |
38 |
- |
71 |
| Arkansas |
29 |
44 |
- |
73 |
Missouri (18-7): Bowers 2, Oriakhi 7, Pressey 9, Bell 25, Brown 8, Criswell 3, Ross 16, Rosburg 1.
Arkansas (16-9): Clarke 13, Powell 24, Wade 3, Scott 1, Young 18, Madden 2, Gulley 0, Haydar 3, Mickelson 4, Qualls 5.
3-point goals: Missouri 2-14 (Ross 1-3, Brown 1-5, Bowers 0-2, Pressey 0-4), Arkansas 7-23 (Clarke 3-3, Haydar 1-3, Wade 1-4, Young 1-4, Powell 1-5, Qualls 0-1, Gulley 0-1, Madden 0-2). Fouled out: Bell, Haydar. Rebounds: Missouri 47 (Oriakhi 11), Arkansas 31 (Clarke 7). Assists: Missouri 12 (Brown, Ross 3), Arkansas 16 (Young 5). Total fouls: Missouri 25, Arkansas 25. A: 19,004.
