MU falls short in Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Missouri had made 3-pointer after 3-pointer during a second-half rally -- and now, needing one more to tie in the final seconds, the Tigers' Marcus Watkins was open on the right wing.

"I saw a bunch of them that I didn't think were going in that went in," Arkansas coach Stan Heath said. "And then I saw that one -- I thought that was going in, and fortunately it didn't."

Watkins' shot rolled around and out, and the Razorbacks held on for a 66-63 win Friday night. Arkansas blew a 14-point second half lead, but rebounded in time to secure its third straight victory.

The Razorbacks (5-2) went ahead 63-61 on Jonathon Modica's three-point play with 1 minute 11 seconds remaining, then missed three of four free throws. Dontell Jefferson finally made two to make it 66-63 with 9.3 seconds to play, but Missouri had one more chance.

The Tigers (2-2) were 6-of-8 from 3-point range in the second half, and Arkansas didn't want to allow another attempt to tie it. Eric Ferguson fouled Jason Horton deliberately with 5.8 seconds left. Horton missed the front end of a 1-and-1, and Missouri rebounded, but Watkins' shot didn't stay down.

"I think that last look was a better look than any coach could draw up," Horton said. "It just didn't go down for us."

Ronnie Brewer scored 20 points for Arkansas, including a breakaway dunk that put the Razorbacks ahead 53-39 with a little more than 8 minutes remaining. But Missouri went on a 16-2 run to tie it.

Horton gave Missouri a 58-57 lead with a 3-pointer, then Brewer answered with a 3 of his own. Horton banked in a 3-pointer to put the Tigers ahead 61-60, but Modica's basket and free throw put Arkansas in front to stay.

"I think a maturity sign for us was just our ability to hang in there," Heath said. "Even when we got down by one, Brewer made a big play with a 3, and then Modica made a big play."

Modica scored 19 points for the Razorbacks.

Kevin Young had 13 points and eight rebounds for Missouri. Horton scored nine points, all on second-half 3-pointers. The Tigers shot 9-of-18 from 3-point range for the game.

Both teams struggled from the free-throw line. Arkansas shot 15-of-23, and Missouri went 8-of-17.

Missouri had won two straight after a disappointing season-opening loss to Sam Houston State. Coach Quin Snyder said the Tigers are making progress.

"Our team grew up a little tonight as far as playing together," Snyder said. "Some of it is youth and some of it is discipline. We were playing against a different level of athletes tonight. For the most part our effort was really good."