FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) – Billy Richmond scored 16 points and Memphis made all six of its free throws in the final 21.8 seconds to claim a 72-67 victory over Arkansas on Thursday.
The Razorbacks (5-6) took a 67-64 lead on Michael Jones’ fourth 3-pointer of the game with 1:39 to go. Jones paced Arkansas with 18 points, tying a career high, off the bench.
The Tigers (8-2) responded by scoring the final eight points on a layup by Richmond, while Earl Barron, John Grice and Duane Erwin each hit a pair of free throws as Arkansas rushed its shots in the final half- minute of the game.
In what is expected to be the last game in the series for a while, Memphis won for the first time in Fayetteville. Arkansas had won the previous five meetings at Bud Walton Arena and lead the overall series 11-10.
Memphis’ Clyde Wade drives against Arkansas’ Eric Ferguson during the first half.
The Tigers tied the score at 64-64 on a 3-point play by guard Billy Richmond with 1:56 remaining. Arkansas didn’t get back fast enough on defense, allowing Richmond to make a layup and draw a blocking foul on Alonzo Lane, who fouled out on the play.
After Jones’ 3-pointer, Richmond made another layup with just over a minute remaining to pull the Tigers within one.
Dionisio Gomez missed two free throws for Arkansas with 37.5 seconds remaining and then Barron, a 7-foot center and a 77 percent free throw shooter, gave Memphis a 68-67 lead with 21.8 seconds left.
After Arkansas moved the ball upcourt and called timeout, Jones rushed a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Grice was fouled after making the rebound with 12.5 seconds left. His free throws gave Memphis a 70-67 lead.
The Razorbacks had a chance to tie but Kendrick Davis missed and Erwin iced the game with 2.2 seconds remaining.
