Razorbacks unable to overcome Commodores

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  Junior Mardracus Wade led the University of Arkansas basketball team with 13 points, two rebounds and two steals as the Razorbacks were unable to defeat the Vanderbilt Commodores on the road, falling 67-49 at Memorial Gymnasium.

Junior Kikko Haydar had an impressive outing going a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc for nine points and junior Coty Clarke grabbed a game-high seven boards for the Razorbacks. Arkansas’ (14-9, 5-5 SEC) bench picked up 25 of the Razorbacks’ 49 points. Wade’s 13 points were the most the Memphis, Tenn. native has recorded in conference play this season.

“You have to give credit to Vanderbilt, but when you go on the road you have to make shots,” head coach Mike Anderson said.  “When you are on the road, you have to match your opponents’ intensity.  We did a good job of cutting the lead to five, but didn’t do what we needed to do to get over the hump.”

The Razorbacks started off strong in the opening minutes of the game as Wade sank back-to-back three-pointers to give the Razorbacks a 6-2 edge. Vanderbilt (9-14, 3-7 SEC) would capitalize on several early Razorback defensive fouls, going 5-of-6 from the free throw line in the opening minutes. Vanderbilt would grab a double-digit lead with 8:16 remaining as the Commodores went up 21-11. The Razorbacks tried to mount a comeback, but the Commodores answered nearly every Razorback basket, silencing any Arkansas run. Arkansas entered the locker room with an 11-point deficit, 35-24.

Leading Arkansas in the first half was Young with seven points. Clarke reigned in a game-high four rebounds in the first, as the Commodores outscored the Razorbacks in the paint 12-4, forcing the Arkansas to shoot from behind the arc.

In the opening minutes of the second half the Razorbacks were looking to chip away at the Vanderbilt lead. Arkansas was able to come within five after going on a 6-0 run. Powell grabbed the first two layups in the run and Rashad Madden knocked down two shots from the charity stripe to close the gap, 43-38. The Commodores would answer Arkansas’ run with one of their own to go up 49-38 with 7:16 remaining in the contest. From there on out the Razorbacks couldn’t halt the Commodores as Vanderbilt came out victorious with a final score of 67-49.

Arkansas continues their two-game road swing when they travel to Auburn, Ala., to take on the Auburn Tigers on Wednesday, Feb. 13th.

For more information regarding Razorback men’s basketball or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.