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Posted on: January 13, 2022 at 22:39:27 CT
FIJItiger MU
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The Dedication Game at Bud Walton Arena will be long remembered not only in Arkansas, but in Missouri.
For the Tigers (1-1), last night's 120-68 loss was the worst margin of defeat in the program's history.
“I'm trying to forget it already,” senior guard Melvin Booker said. “That's not Missouri ball.”
At least not like it's ever been before.
The 52-point loss topped the previous record drubbing, 47 points 96-49 to Kansas in the Big Eight holiday tournament on Dec. 28, 1977. The 120-point total tied the most ever scored on Missouri, matching Oklahoma in the Sooners' 120-101 victory at Norman in 1988. The Razorbacks' 75 second-half points shattered a three-way tie for most opponents' points in a half. Indiana in 1969, Virginia Tech in 1987 and the Sooners in that '88 game, all poured in 62.
“Losses like that are hard,” Missouri coach Norm Stewart said. “Losses like that are real hard. They're hard on everybody.”
Competitively, it was over quickly.
Dwight Stewart, a 6-foot-9, 260-pound center opened the scoring with a three-pointer, the first of seven in the first half and a school-record 16 for Arkansas (2-0). Missouri got to within 5-4, then lost contact after Kelly Thames put in an offensive rebound with 15:27 left in the half, drawing Missouri within 11-9. Five minutes later, Arkansas led 27-11.
The Razorbacks built their lead to 23 points, 38-15 at the 5:14 mark, then leveled off to take a 45-22 lead into the locker room.
“We missed six layups that I counted, we might have missed more than that,” Stewart said. “You make those six layups and at least you go in at the half and you've got something to talk about besides fighting over the oranges.”
The Razorbacks, looking well worth their No. 2 ranking, kept peeling and squeezing in the second half. The final margin was their biggest lead of the night. It came on a putback by walk-on John Engskov. He was the 14th Razorback to score.
Scotty Thurman, who scored his career-high 34 points as a freshman in Arkansas' 73-68 victory last year at the Hearnes Center, led the Hogs with 18
points, four three-pointers and 21 minutes.
Arkansas' 16 threes were also a record for a Missouri opponent. Arkansas shot a better percentage from three-point range than it did two-point distance or the free throw line.
Seven Razorbacks scored in double figures. Chris Heller led the Tigers with 11 points.
Stewart also cleared his bench.
“Once that started and it really opened up, we started just using people that we wanted to see play and give some opportunities, too,” Stewart said. “Then you go completely out of control as far as the score is concerned.”
The Tigers fed the Hogs 27 turnovers.
“You've got to give credit where credit is due,” Jevon Crudup said. “They got in, and they pushed and they pushed and they pushed.”
Although the arena, with an official capacity of 19,200, had already opened with a 93-67 victory over Murray State on Monday, last night was the dedication, and 20,212 is now the record.
Stewart was 5-0 in the old Barnhill Arena.
“We won't play that good again,” Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson said. “Missouri was not a very good basketball team tonight, but I think they will
be.
“Sometimes the buzzsaw hits you.”
Stewart's workshop will be busy trying refit the pieces. “I told Nolan they're really good,” he said. “I couldn't tell tonight how good they are because we're not very good right now.
“We didn't give them much of a ballgame.”
Just about anybody who wanted one has a tape to prove it. The game was seen throughout the nation on ESPN.
“Oh yeah, I knew that,” Booker said. “Now I'm scared to call home.”
For the Tigers (1-1), last night's 120-68 loss was the worst margin of defeat in the program's history.
“I'm trying to forget it already,” senior guard Melvin Booker said. “That's not Missouri ball.”
At least not like it's ever been before.
The 52-point loss topped the previous record drubbing, 47 points 96-49 to Kansas in the Big Eight holiday tournament on Dec. 28, 1977. The 120-point total tied the most ever scored on Missouri, matching Oklahoma in the Sooners' 120-101 victory at Norman in 1988. The Razorbacks' 75 second-half points shattered a three-way tie for most opponents' points in a half. Indiana in 1969, Virginia Tech in 1987 and the Sooners in that '88 game, all poured in 62.
“Losses like that are hard,” Missouri coach Norm Stewart said. “Losses like that are real hard. They're hard on everybody.”
Competitively, it was over quickly.
Dwight Stewart, a 6-foot-9, 260-pound center opened the scoring with a three-pointer, the first of seven in the first half and a school-record 16 for Arkansas (2-0). Missouri got to within 5-4, then lost contact after Kelly Thames put in an offensive rebound with 15:27 left in the half, drawing Missouri within 11-9. Five minutes later, Arkansas led 27-11.
The Razorbacks built their lead to 23 points, 38-15 at the 5:14 mark, then leveled off to take a 45-22 lead into the locker room.
“We missed six layups that I counted, we might have missed more than that,” Stewart said. “You make those six layups and at least you go in at the half and you've got something to talk about besides fighting over the oranges.”
The Razorbacks, looking well worth their No. 2 ranking, kept peeling and squeezing in the second half. The final margin was their biggest lead of the night. It came on a putback by walk-on John Engskov. He was the 14th Razorback to score.
Scotty Thurman, who scored his career-high 34 points as a freshman in Arkansas' 73-68 victory last year at the Hearnes Center, led the Hogs with 18
points, four three-pointers and 21 minutes.
Arkansas' 16 threes were also a record for a Missouri opponent. Arkansas shot a better percentage from three-point range than it did two-point distance or the free throw line.
Seven Razorbacks scored in double figures. Chris Heller led the Tigers with 11 points.
Stewart also cleared his bench.
“Once that started and it really opened up, we started just using people that we wanted to see play and give some opportunities, too,” Stewart said. “Then you go completely out of control as far as the score is concerned.”
The Tigers fed the Hogs 27 turnovers.
“You've got to give credit where credit is due,” Jevon Crudup said. “They got in, and they pushed and they pushed and they pushed.”
Although the arena, with an official capacity of 19,200, had already opened with a 93-67 victory over Murray State on Monday, last night was the dedication, and 20,212 is now the record.
Stewart was 5-0 in the old Barnhill Arena.
“We won't play that good again,” Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson said. “Missouri was not a very good basketball team tonight, but I think they will
be.
“Sometimes the buzzsaw hits you.”
Stewart's workshop will be busy trying refit the pieces. “I told Nolan they're really good,” he said. “I couldn't tell tonight how good they are because we're not very good right now.
“We didn't give them much of a ballgame.”
Just about anybody who wanted one has a tape to prove it. The game was seen throughout the nation on ESPN.
“Oh yeah, I knew that,” Booker said. “Now I'm scared to call home.”
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Article: - FIJItiger MU - 1/13 22:39:27