Arkansas needs 2nd-half rally to beat Oral Roberts 87-76

Updated Dec. 20, 2020 4:47 p.m. ET

Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Justin Smith scored 22 points with a career-high 17 rebounds and Arkansas had a big second half to beat Oral Roberts 87-76 on Sunday.

Despite the Razorbacks' (7-0) 58-32 rebounding advantage, and 57-point second half, Oral Roberts (3-5) proved difficult to put away.

Leading 82-74 with 84 seconds left, Arkansas' Desi Sills fouled Francis Lacis on his 3-point shot attempt to send him to the foul line. Lacis converted two of three shots making it a two possession contest. Jalen Tate grabbed the defensive rebound on Lacis' miss, got the ball to JD Notae who fed Smith on the break for a dunk to seal it. Notae sank a pair of free throws on Arkansas next possession for a 10-point lead with 47 seconds left.

Oral Roberts built a 40-30 halftime lead and took advantage of Arkansas' 30% shooting (12 for 40) which included 14 misses on 16, 3-point shot attempts.

After the break, Arkansas settled down and used its size advantage to take control of the interior and made 20 of 37 and shot just eight 3s. Moses Moody scored 18 points, Sills scored 16 with 10 rebounds and Notae scored 15.

Kevin Obanor scored 21 points with 10 rebounds for the Eagles, RJ Glasper scored 14, Kareem Thompson 13, Max Abmas and DeShang Weaver 11 each.

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