Recap: Arkansas vs. Alabama
Fayetteville, AR (SportsNetwork.com) - Bobby Portis made a tip-in layup as time expired to lift the Arkansas Razorbacks to a 93-91 overtime victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in an SEC thriller at Bud Walton Arena.
Portis's last second basket not only helped Arkansas (14-4, 3-2 SEC) snap a two-game losing streak, it also gave him a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. Michael Qualls paced the Razorbacks offensively with a career-high 30 points, and Rashad Madden contributed 17 points. Anton Beard also made an impact for the hosts with 11 points.
Justin Coleman and Ricky Tarrant netted 22 and 21 points, respectively, for Alabama (12-6, 2-3). Rodney Cooper added 15 points, while Levi Randolph finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Razorbacks took a 34-30 lead into the break after they outrebounded the visitors, 20-14, in the opening 20 minutes of action. Alabama managed to make good on 43.5 percent of its shots from the floor, but committed nine turnovers in the first half.
The Crimson Tide knocked down 8-of-15 tries from 3-point range and converted 14-of-17 shots at the free-throw line in the second half. Alabama trailed, 78-73, with just over a minute remaining in regulation. Tarrant made it a one- possession game by hitting two shots at the charity stripe. After a turnover by Portis, Michael Kessens completed a traditional three-point play with two seconds left to even the score at 78 and force an extra session.
Alabama once again trailed late as Qualls made a pair of free-throw tries to give the hosts a 91-88 lead with 18 seconds left in overtime. Shannon Hale drained a 3-point try to tie the score with 10 seconds showing on the clock. Portis made his game-winning tip-in off of a Madden missed jumper.
Arkansas finished with a 47-34 advantage in total rebounds, which led to a 22-8 edge in second chance points.