Razorbacks top Auburn in Double OT thriller

Behind Marshawn Powell and BJ Young’s 50 combined points, the Arkansas Razorbacks held off Auburn in double overtime Wednesday 88-80.

Back and forth the two teams went, with nine different lead changes and multiple momentum swings, resulting in the first double overtime game in Bud Walton Arena in its existence.

Despite Allen Payne’s three to tie the game with only a few seconds remaining in regulation, the Razorbacks battled back, and ultimately sealed the Tigers’ fate with a BJ Young three with 26 seconds remaining in the second overtime that put Arkansas up 84-78.

Marshawn Powell had only seven points in the first half, but exploded in the second with a mix of mid range jumpers and post up game that gave him 21 points in the second half and overtime periods. Powell finished with 28 points and 11 boards, While Young finished with 22 on 8-16 shooting.

It seemed locked up early after the Hogs went on a 17-0 run to go up 25-14, with Arkansas playing their full court press to perfection by causing 10 first half turnovers. But Auburn battled back to be down only 34-27 at halftime, then flexed their scoring muscles early in the second half.

FREE Razorback & Red Wolves Recruiting GuidesAuburn’s Frankie Sullivan, who had only three points in the first half, exploded with five threes in the second half, giving the Tiger’s leading scorer 26 points and nine rebounds. Sullivan went cold in crunch time, and was a non factor in the second overtime after the Hogs locked him down on defense.

Aside from Young and Powell’s performances, Mardracus Wade also had a solid game. Wade finished with 12 points in 35 minutes off the bench, and got a much needed spark after being in a slump the past few games.

This was a much needed home SEC win for the Hogs, even though those are expected of this team at this point in the season. Tournament hopes can be easily dashed by a bad home loss, even in double overtime. Mike Anderson and his players battled, and ultimately made history, being the first double overtime game in the SEC for the Razorbacks since the team joined the conference.

“Typically we say 40 minutes, it took 50 minutes tonight,” said head coach Mike Anderson after the game.

50 minutes of hell kind of has a nice ring to it, but lets hope the Razorbacks can keep it at 40 minutes most of the time.

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