FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas – Adou Thiero and Karter Knox led Arkansas to the second-largest, come-from-behind win (tied) in Bud Walton Arena history, turning a 12-point halftime deficit into a 68-65 victory over Georgia in college basketball Wednesday night.
More amazing, Arkansas, which took its first lead with 4:40 left, only led for 29 seconds in the game. (NOTE: Almost four years ago to the date, Arkansas trailed Auburn by 12 at halftime, 43-31, only to win 75-73 on Jan. 20, 2021.) Arkansas also played without starting point guard Boogie Fland, who had successful thumb surgery on Wednesday (Jan. 22).
Thiero recorded his fourth career double-double – third this year – with 17 points and 11 rebounds. He also made two of the biggest plays in the win down the stretch. First, he blocked a shot with 1:34 left to keep the game tied. Then, with 30 seconds left, he made a jumper in the paint for a 2-point lead. Georgia tied the game with 14 seconds left on a pair of free throws by Asa Newell. On Arkansas’ ensuing possession, Thiero grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled with 1.8 seconds left. He made the first one and missed the second but got his own rebound and putback as the buzzer sounded for the three-point win.Overall, Thiero scored 11 second-half points (7-of-8 from the free throw line) with six rebounds. Knox scored 2 of his 13 points in the second half, going 10-of-11 at the line.
Not only were the Razorbacks down 12 at halftime, but the Hogs went down 15 (48-33) with 15:24 left in the second half. From that point, Arkansas trimmed its deficit to 10 points three times over the next three minutes but Georgia answered each time.
Arkansas’ first big run was a 12-2 spurt that was highlighted by an old-fashion 3-point play by Karter Knox to get the Razorbacks to within one (54-53 with 7:51 left). However, Georgia was able to hold the lead over the next three minutes.
Knox gave Arkansas its first tie and lead with two free throws for a 58-58 advantage with 4:40 left. The Bulldogs regained the lead when Silas Demary Jr., made an old-fashion 3-point play to go up 61-59 with 4:29 left.
Neither team scored over the next two minutes until Knox made two free throws. Georgia answered with a RJ Godfrey basket. D.J. Wagner knotted the game at 63 with two free throws and 1:55 left. Neither team scored over the next minute but Johnell Davis made the second-biggest defensive play of the game with a steal with 53 seconds left. From that point, Arkansas called timeout and Theiro took over for the final 30 seconds.
Davis finished with seven points and three steals.
Georgia was led by Newell’s 18 points and eight rebounds.
Arkansas stays home to host Oklahoma on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Get more with our daily newsletter. Subscribe and never miss one of our stories.
Discover more from leflorecountyjournal
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
