FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Down one with 2:39 left in overtime, Jaylin Williams (13 points and 11 rebounds) and JD Notae (28 points, three steals and four blocked shots) made seven straight free throws to give the Razorbacks a lead it would not relinquish as Arkansas upset top-ranked Auburn 80-76 in overtime before a record crowd f 20,327 Tuesday night at Bud Walton Arena.
The win was just the second time Arkansas has ever beaten the #1 team in the land and Arkansas improves to 2-11 all-time in such games. It was also just the third time an opponent came to Fayetteville ranked #1 and it was the first time they had played in Bud Walton Arena.
The game featured 15 ties and 17 lead changes.
The last lead change came when Auburn led, 70-69, with 2:39 left in overtime. From that point, Williams made two free throws, Notae made two free throws and Williams finished the 7-0 run with three free throws to put the Hogs up six, 76-70.
Auburn battled back as Jabari Smith sank a 3-pointer with 36 ticks left to cut the Tiger deficit to three (76-73). After two free throws by Chris Lykes, Smith drilled another 3-pointer to get the Tigers to within two with 19 seconds remaining. Au’Diese Toney went 1-of-2 at the line but Williams grabbed an offensive rebound on the miss. Notae was fouled with 12 seconds to go for a 4-point Razorback lead. Auburn missed a jumper on the ensuing possession and Williams grabbed the defensive rebound to seal the win.
Overall, Arkansas was 11-of-14 at the free throw line in overtime while Auburn was 0-of-3 at the stripe.
Notae made and attempted career highs at the line (11-of-14) and his four blocked shots are a career high. He added five rebounds, three assists and three steals, including a critical theft with 56 seconds left in regulation.
Williams tallied his sixth double-double (all within the last 10 games) with two assists and two steals. Toney also recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds (five offensive). It was his fifth career double-double and second as a Razorback.
Davonte Davis was +15 (the only Razorback in double digits) thanks t 10 points and a career-high five steals.
Auburn was led by Smith’s 20 points and nine rebounds. Wendell Green Jr., added 19 points while Walker Kessler had 16 points and 19 rebounds.
Arkansas hits the road to face Alabama on Saturday (Feb. 12). Tipoff is set for 11:00 am (CT) and the game will be televised on SEC Network.
