SMU Loses In Arkansas

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Alandise Harris scored 21 points as Arkansas held on for an 89-78 win over former Southwest Conference rival SMU.

Led by the shooting of Anthlon Bell and Michael Qualls, the Razorbacks led by as many as 24 points in the second half. They led 67-43 midway through the half following a pair of free throw by Harris, though SMU was far from finished.

Ben Moore, who was 8 of 10 from the floor, led the Mustangs on a 24-7 run to close Arkansas’ lead to as few as six points in the closing minutes.

After Harris’ three-point play put the Razorbacks up 77-67, Nic Moore answered with back-to-back jumpers — sandwiched around an Arkansas free throw — for SMU to cut the lead to 78-72 with 2:08 remaining.

Harris responded with an alley-oop dunk on an assist from Coty Clarke, and he added a block on the other end as the Razorbacks went back up 84-74 and held on via free throws down the stretch.

The Razorbacks (3-0) were 11 of 22 from behind the arc. Qualls and Bell hit three 3-pointers each for Arkansas.

Ben Moore had 19 points and Yanick Moreira added 15 for the

Mustangs (2-1), who played without McDonald’s All-American Keith Frazier.

Nic Moore also had 12 points and Nick Russell 10.

The Mustangs outscored Arkansas 41-16 in the paint, led by Moore, but Arkansas had 20 points off 18 SMU turnovers.

Arkansas led 46-30 at halftime, thanks in large part to an 8-of-14 shooting effort on 3-pointers.

The Mustangs are back in action Wednesday, Nov. 20 when they host Texas State at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.