DALLAS – The #16 Arkansas Razorbacks never managed to take the lead but remained within striking distance of #8 Baylor before ultimately falling 72-67 Saturday night at the American Airlines Center.
After trailing by nine at halftime, Arkansas started the second half strong with an 11-2 run to even the score at 44. However, Baylor quickly responded with consecutive 3-pointers and maintained the lead for the remainder of the game.
Baylor extended their advantage to 11 points with 11:18 left to play. The Razorbacks fought back, using a 6-0 run to narrow the gap to three, 63-60. Arkansas would pull within three points two more times—at 2:33 and 24 seconds remaining. The Razorbacks had to foul in the closing moments, and V.J. Edgecombe sealed the victory for Baylor by hitting both free throws, giving them a five-point win.
Baylor’s Norchard Omier led the team with a double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Four other Bears scored in double digits.
Arkansas was paced by Adou Thiero, who had 24 points and six rebounds, while Boogie Fland added 17 points and seven assists.
First Half: Arkansas 33 – Baylor 42
• Baylor scored first and never trailed during the first half.
Arkansas missed their first nine 3-point attempts before Thiero hit a triple at the 6:10 mark, cutting the lead to 28-22. Down by 11, Arkansas responded with a 9-0 run, pulling within two, 33-31. Fland made two free throws and, after a steal, added a 3-pointer to cap the run. Baylor answered with a 6-0 run of their own. The teams traded baskets, including an alley-oop dunk from Trevon Brazile to Karter Knox, before Jeremy Roach hit a 3-pointer with seven seconds left, giving the Bears a nine-point lead at halftime.
Baylor shot 50% in the first half, while Arkansas struggled with just 37% shooting. Arkansas also committed eight turnovers, four of which came in the final 3:21 of the period.
Thiero led Arkansas with 10 points, while Fland added nine. Roach and Jayden Nunn each scored 10 for Baylor.
Second Half: Arkansas 34 – Baylor 30
Thiero scored 14 of his 24 points in the second half. Arkansas improved its shooting to 46.4%, while holding Baylor to 42.3% shooting in the period.
Game Notes:
Arkansas won the opening tip.
Baylor’s Omier scored the first points of the game with a layup at 19:29, and Fland scored Arkansas’ first points with a floater at 17:41—marking the second consecutive game Fland has scored Arkansas’ first points.
Karter Knox was the first Arkansas player to come off the bench.
Baylor is the fourth most frequent opponent for Arkansas, with tonight’s game being the 146th all-time meeting between the two teams. The Razorbacks have played Texas A&M 169 times, and Texas and Rice 155 times.
Arkansas leads the all-time series 96-50, though Baylor has won the last four meetings.
Arkansas is 4-2 against Baylor in Dallas and holds a 24-14 record in neutral-site games in Dallas. The Razorbacks now stand at 2-3 all-time at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.