Fouling 3-point shooters dooms Arkansas basketball’s comeback bid against Oklahoma

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FAYETTEVILLE — John Calipari spent a chunk of his post-game press conference Saturday night praising the fight of his Arkansas basketball team.

The Hall of Fame coach applauded his team’s ability to erase a 13-point deficit in the first half and hang tough for a second straight SEC game without freshman star Boogie Fland, but it wasn’t enough.

The Razorbacks (12-8, 1-6 SEC) fell to Oklahoma 65-62, failing to capitalize on the momentum from a first conference victory against Georgia Wednesday night.

In Calipari’s eyes, Arkansas did enough to win, but key mistakes in the second half prevented the Hogs from putting the game to bed, and they could not cross the finish line.

“One error. Two errors, but guys, that’s going to be this whole year,” Calipari said. “That’s what it’s going to be. So, some of the things that you would say, ‘oh my gosh, why’d he do that?’ Those are the things we can’t do.”

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The most decisive blow came midway through the second half.

Back-to-back 3-pointers from Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic gave the Hogs a 50-44 lead with 10:06 remaining. Bud Walton Arena was buzzing like a hornet’s nest, and Ivisic’s 3-pointer felt like the kind of tide-turner that could morph a close game into a blowout.

But Arkansas made two painful mistakes that ruined any potential run. On Oklahoma’s next two possessions, Johnell Davis and Ivisic fouled Sooners on 3-point shots. Oklahoma’s Luke Northweather and Jeremiah Fears made all six free throws, and Arkansas’ biggest advantage of the night disappeared in a flash.

“We fouled two 3-point shooters, and I have to watch the tape, but I imagine they did foul or they wouldn’t have called them,” Calipari said. “Execution down the stretch, we did some good stuff, maybe didn’t finish it off.”

Jan 25, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/fouling-3-point-shooters-dooms-100628506.html

Author : Ft. Smith Southwest Times Record

Publish date : 2025-01-26 10:06:00

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