Dec. 2, 2005

Box Score

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Marcus Watkins' 3-pointer rolled in and out in the final seconds, and Arkansas held on for a 66-63 win over Missouri on Friday night.

The Razorbacks (5-2) blew a 14-point second-half lead, but went ahead 63-61 on Jonathon Modica's three-point play with 1:11 remaining. Arkansas then missed three free throws down the stretch, allowing Missouri one final possession trailing by three.

The Razorbacks didn't want to allow a 3-pointer to tie it, so Eric Ferguson fouled Jason Horton deliberately with 5.8 seconds remaining. Horton missed the front end of a 1-and-1, and Missouri rebounded, but Watkins' open shot from the right wing didn't stay down.

Ronnie Brewer scored 20 points for Arkansas, including a breakaway dunk that put the Razorbacks ahead 53-39 with just over 8 minutes remaining. But Missouri (2-2) went on a 16-2 run to tie it.

Horton gave Missouri a 58-57 lead with a 3-pointer, and Brewer answered with a 3-pointer of his own. Horton then banked in a 3-pointer to put the Tigers ahead 61-60, but Modica's basket and free throw put Arkansas ahead to stay.

Modica had 19 points for the Razorbacks.

Kevin Young had 13 points and eight rebounds for Missouri. Horton scored nine points, all on second-half 3-pointers. The Tigers shot 9-of-18 from 3-point range, 6-of-9 in the second half.

Both teams struggled from the free-throw line. Missouri went 8-of-17, and Arkansas shot 15-of-23.

The Razorbacks led 32-26 after a spirited but sloppy first half in which the teams combined for 19 turnovers. Ferguson and Horton each received a technical foul after becoming tangled during a stoppage in play with 10:25 remaining.

The Razorbacks' bench was charged with an early technical after coach Stan Heath argued a non-call on Modica's drive. The sequence appeared to spark Arkansas, which went on a 25-8 run to take a 31-16 lead.

Missouri rallied toward the end of the first half, however, and then again toward the end of the second.