Up one in overtime, Arkansas’s Jalen Tate blocked a shot with 21 seconds left and Moses Moody followed with a steal with 12 seconds left to lead Arkansas to an 86-81 overtime win at 10th-ranked Missouri Saturday afternoon at Mizzou Arena.
Inside the final 35 seconds, Moody had an assist leading to a one-point lead, had a steal and sank two free throws for a 3-point lead. Arkansas (16-5, 8-4) has won six straight SEC games for the first time since Feb. 2017 and stands in second place in the league with LSU. Missouri falls to 13-5 overall, 6-5 in the SEC.
The win was the Razorbacks’ first over an AP top 10 program since defeating #5 Texas on Jan. 27, 2016, in Bud Walton Arena. It was additionally the Hogs’ first road win over an AP top 10 team since handing #10 Tennessee a 73-69 defeat on Feb. 25, 2006. In fact, it was just Arkansas’ fifth-ever road win over an AP top 10 team and, like today, the Razorbacks trailed at halftime in all five wins.
The final seconds of overtime were set up when Moody hit a cutting Davonte Davis for a layup with 35 ticks left for a one-point Arkansas lead (82-81). On the ensuing possession, Missouri’s Dru Smith looked to have an open lane to the basket but Tate blocked the shot from behind. The officials initially called basket interference. After reviewing the play, it was ruled to be a clean block. However, with the call, the ball was deemed dead, resulting in a jump ball with possession to Missouri.
With the Tigers keeping the ball, Moody stripped Mizzou’s Parker Braun and corralled the ball before getting fouled and making two free throws for a 3-point lead. Missouri missed a 3-pointer with three seconds left, Justin Smith was fouled, and he connected on both free throws to provide the 86-81 final.
Smith led Arkansas with 19 points, scoring 11 in the second half and six in overtime. Moody, who was 6-fo-6 at the free throw line, finished with 16 points and Tate had 14. Connor Vanover scored 12 points, all in the second half on 5-of-6 shooting from the field (2-of-3 from 3-point range).
Arkansas trailed by four at halftime but shot 59.3% from the field in the second half thanks to 10 assists on 16 field goals made. The Razorbacks were 20-of-23 from the free throw line, including 6-of-6 in the second half and 7-of-9 in overtime.
The Razorbacks were up four (73-69) after a Smith layup with 1:20 left. Mizzou answered with a Mitchell Smith grabbed an offensive rebound and laid it in with 42 seconds left and, after the Hogs missed a shot with 18 seconds left, the Tigers came down and Braun converted a layup to tie the game, 73-73, with nine seconds left. On Arkansas’ final possession I regulation, Braun blocked a Davis shot to force overtime.
Xavier Pinson led the Tigers with 23 points and Dru Smith added 12.
Arkansas returns home to host Florida on Tuesday (Feb. 16). Tipoff is set for 6:00 pm (CT) and the game will be televised on ESPN2.