Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Arkansas
Cowboys Rally To Beat Arkansas, 85-76
December 22, 2001 | Cowboy Basketball
Dec 22, 2001
By HARRY KING
AP Sports Writer
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Two free throws by Victor Williams gave Oklahoma State its first lead with 2:19 left, and he scored six points in the final minute Saturday as the No. 6 Cowboys rallied from a 22-point deficit to beat Arkansas 85-76.
Williams picked up his fourth foul early in the second half, but returned with 12:15 to play and Arkansas (6-4) leading 59-53. An 82 percent free-throw shooter, Williams made his last 10 free throws, including two for a 75-74 lead after Arkansas' Carl Baker drove the baseline, but missed from in close.
Fredrik Jonzen's 3-pointer made it 78-74 for the Cowboys (12-0) and Williams' four straight free throws widened the lead 83-76.
Williams, who had four turnovers and one point in the first half, finished with 17 points. Maurice Baker also had 16 points in the second half and scored a team-high 21.
Arkansas led 32-10 with 8:45 to play in the first half but scored only one basket during the final 4 minutes. The Cowboys closed within seven at the half on a 3-pointer and two free throws by Melvin Sanders.
Arkansas shot 53 percent in the first half but just 38 percent in the second. J.J. Sullinger, 6 of 8 for 15 points in the first half, did not score during the first 9 minutes of the second half.
Oklahoma State scored nine straight points, closing to 47-45 three minutes into the second half. Williams pulled up and hit and jumper and Baker made one from the baseline after Brandon Deal went for a steal and missed.
Dionisio Gomez threw up a wild shot and Baker scored on layup. Jannero Pargo, who led Arkansas with 21 points, fumbled a pass and Williams made another layup and a free throw.
Pargo gave the Razorbacks a 56-49 lead with three 3-pointers, but Williams returned a short time later. His two free throws cut the lead to 71-69, and Baker worked the baseline for a floater that reduced the margin to 72-71.
Arkansas' style makes for some wild moments and moisture from the ice hockey rink under the floor created additional problems with players often slipping and losing control of the ball when they went up for shots.
