A complete of 1,561 wins stood alongside the sidelines on Dec. 3 on the Watsco Heart as John Calipari introduced his Razorbacks down south to tackle Jim Larrañaga’s Hurricanes. Regardless of Miami main for 36 minutes, Arkansas executed down the stretch and added another win to Calipari’s resume in its 76-73 victory.
“There are lots of issues I’m blissful about …We had the lead for 36 minutes. Within the match final week, we by no means had the lead in three consecutive video games. We bought ourselves off to a greater begin and performed much more persistently at each ends of the ground,” Larrañaga stated within the postgame presser.
Each brigades struggled to search out the underside of the basket early, however senior guard Nijel Pack set the tone for the ’Canes, scoring six of their first 11 factors. Miami dedicated three fast fouls 3:30 into the sport however adjusted successfully, permitting the Razorbacks to try simply 4 free throws within the first half.
Arkansas struggled to guard the ball within the first half, because it turned it over seven instances, permitting the Hurricanes to attain 11 factors off turnovers.
Again-to-back threes from senior switch Jalen Blackmon saved the group engaged, and senior guard Matthew Cleveland ignited the Miami devoted with a rating and the foul to increase UM’s result in 9 on the 8:22 mark. On the subsequent possession, a Pack floater prolonged Miami’s result in 11, its largest of the sport.
Whereas the ’Canes executed properly offensively, the Razorbacks had a response for every little thing. Star freshman guard Boogie Fland led the Hogs within the first half with eight factors, protecting Arkansas inside putting distance.
Miami ended the primary half up 40-32.
Arkansas started the second half firing from all cylinders, as Kentucky switch DJ Wagner and Florida Atlantic switch Johnell Davis each knocked down threes, reducing Miami’s result in simply 4.
Consecutive Blackmon threes widened Miami’s result in eight, however the Razorbacks simply saved discovering solutions. Fland knocked down two crucial free throws to knot it up at 71 with two minutes remaining and silenced the group with a go-ahead three on the 1:47 mark, acquiring Arkansas’s first lead of the sport.
The ’Canes have been in a position to get a clear look from Blackmon with an opportunity to tie, however he missed the buzzer-beating shot.
“A loss is a loss, however we performed such an important sport, and I’m simply so blissful for my guys and the way we performed. It simply sucks we didn’t get to return out with the victory,” Pack said.
Pack ended with 22 factors, six rebounds and 6 assists, whereas Cleveland arguably had his greatest sport of the 12 months, posting a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double.
“Nijel had a superb sport, and I used to be very blissful about how Cleveland performed. It will be so nice if he was to play like this each night time as a result of he was an actual issue on each ends of the ground, rebounding extraordinarily properly and scoring the ball,” Larrañaga stated after Tuesday’s sport.
Fland completed with 18 factors, 4 rebounds and 6 assists, whereas Wagner contributed 14 factors, two rebounds and 5 assists down the stretch for the Hogs.
The Hurricanes start ACC play on Saturday, Dec. 7 at midday after they face Clemson at dwelling.