FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Razorbacks pulled off a stunning upset against the No. 15-ranked Missouri Tigers, winning 92-85 on Saturday night. The victory served as a significant boost for Arkansas’s NCAA Tournament aspirations, as they now boast three Quad 1 victories.
The game was tightly contested, with Arkansas trailing by seven points at halftime. But the Razorbacks managed to rally back to take control, working their offense effectively and capitalizing on Missouri's turnovers. Arkansas shot 54.7% from the field and scored 30 points off 18 turnovers by the Tigers.
"It's huge for us right now during this time of year," said Arkansas head coach John Calipari. "We needed this win to keep our tournament hopes alive and to build some momentum heading toward the postseason."
For Missouri, this matchup was pivotal following their electrifying 110-98 victory over the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide earlier in the week. The Tigers came to Bud Walton Arena hoping to extend their winning streak to four games. Missouri's offensive strength, fueled by players like Caleb Grill and Marques Warrick, has been the hallmark of this season.
Missouri opened the game strong, taking advantage of Arkansas's defensive lapses. Early three-pointers by Grill and effective plays at the basket built the Tigers' lead.
"We knew Arkansas was going to come out fired up, but we had to stick to our game plan and impose our style of play," said Grill.
Despite their early shooting woes, Arkansas clawed their way back with aggressive rebounding and tenacious defense, especially during the second half. With standout performances by Johnell Davis and Zvonimir Ivisic, the Hogs capitalized on Missouri's fatigue.
The Razorbacks' defensive strategy proved particularly effective, allowing them to hold Mizzou to just 37% shooting from the field during the final 20 minutes. The home crowd at Bud Walton Arena enthusiastically backed their team during the comeback.
Missouri's issues were compounded by the absence of starting center Josh Gray, who was ruled out due to illness just before the game. His presence was missed as freshman Peyton Marshall took on increased responsibilities against Arkansas's physical front court.
"It was tough without Josh. He brings us size and rebounding, so we had to adjust our strategy," said Tigers coach Dennis Gates. "I give credit to Marshall for stepping up, but it's hard without our main guy down low."
The first half concluded with the Tigers leading 48-41, thanks to late-game heroics by Warrick, who drained a buzzer-beater three-pointer. The pace reflected the teams’ desperate need for consistency; Arkansas struggled to hit from beyond the arc, going just 1-of-10 at one point.
But the second half marked the Razorbacks' resurgence. They focused on scoring from the paint, with Davis leading the charge to help shift the momentum. With powerful dunks and aggressive drives, Arkansas took its first lead midway through the second half. They maintained control, turning each Missouri mistake at the other end of the court to their advantage.
Missouri remained persistent, but each time they drew closer, Arkansas found gaps to exploit, including stripping the ball for easy baskets.
Zvonimir Ivisic proved instrumental with key rebounds and almost perfect free-throw shooting, finishing with 20 points. Meanwhile, Davis ended with 18 points, showcasing Arkansas's depth.
The thrilling finish saw Arkansas sealing the game with two free throws from Ivisic, making it three possessions for the Hogs, ensuring the victory was well within reach.
For Missouri, this loss was significant. While they still remain strong contenders for the NCAA tournament, they will need to regroup quickly. The loss dropped their overall record to 20-7, with 9 wins against 5 losses within the SEC.
The upcoming match against South Carolina will test their resilience, as they look to bounce back from this disappointing defeat. Gates noted the need to refocus and fine-tune their strategies for future games.
Arkansas, now buoyed by this victory, must sustain their momentum as they prepare for the final stretch of the regular season, with hopes of solidifying their tournament hopes with more wins.
With both teams eyeing the NCAA tournament, this game may just be the turning point for Arkansas to make its case for March Madness.