The Arkansas Razorbacks won the “rubber match” in the three-game regular season series with border rival Missouri, beating the Tigers on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament, 70-64.
Arkansas was led by J.D. Notae’s 27 points in the victory, as Mizzou’s early game momentum was stunted by foul trouble. Both Mitchell Smith and Jeremiah Tilmon fouled out in the second half, leaving the Tigers particularly vulnerable inside the paint. Arkansas lost Justin Smith to fouls with 1:48 to play, with the Razorbacks, at the time, up 63-58.
Large runs in both the first and second half were key factors in the win for the Hogs, including a pivotal 13-1 surge over a 4:18 frame of the second half, turning a 49-47 MU lead into a 60-50 Arkansas advantage, an edge that Eric Musselman’s team never again relinquished.
The game was played at Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
