BasketBlog: Missouri State

9:13 p.m. — Have a happy holiday, and we’ll rejoin you from Memphis, Tenn., on Dec. 27 with the start of Bowl Week Blogs.

9:12 p.m. — This closes out the pre-holiday break for Arkansas. A week off before the Razorback women reopen Walton Arena on Dec. 29 with Sam Houston. Arkansas’ men’s team is at NLR with Verizon Arena and Baylor at 8 p.m. on Dec. 30.

9:11 p.m. — Clarke gets both and its over, Arkansas 66, MSU 62; welcome to Walton Arena where winning streaks come to die. Hogs 7-5, Bears now 10-1.

9:10 p.m. — And Clarke gets the rebounds off MSU with 1.7 seconds left, he’s fouled and goes to the line to seal it, 62-62.

9:09 p.m. — Tonight’s attendance, 14,194/10,853 — largest of year as UA has last shot in final 25 seconds; Clarke drains the trey for the lead.

9:07 p.m. — Bryant’s steal foils the Bears, Razorbacks move ball up court and call time out with 25.3 to play.

9:05 p.m. — Make it 2-of-10 as both sides miss and MSU takes a time out with 61 seconds left.

9:03 p.m. — MSU calls time out with 1:33 left in OT and a one-point lead, 62-61; defense dominating as teams combined 2-of-8 from the field in OT — each team is hitting 25% (1-of-4).

9:00 p.m. — Quick full time stats — Arkansas outshot MSU in regulation, 44.9% to 37.8% but was undone by turnovers, 19-9 in favor of the Bears. Hogs won the rebounding war, 40-31, esp. in second half with Bryant leading all with 10. Second chance points were MSU, 13-6.

8:58 p.m. — OT tip goes to MSU, Weems drains a three-pointer, 62-59. Clarke gets two back with floater at top of lane.

8:55 p.m. — Hogs go for token pressure to slow the Bears up floor, Razorbacks go after three-point shooters. MSU goes against the old stereotypes and plays for overtime with the pass down low to Patterson, he beats the buzzer and we go to OT.

8:54 p.m. — Hogs wind off clock under 10 seconds, seem frustrated momentarily, Clarke pops open down low, takes the pass and spins, shoots and scores. Immediate MSU timeout, 59-57 UA.

8:52 p.m. — Possession arrow to Arkansas, no time outs for Arkansas, two for MSU. Tipped out by MSU, reset the offense.

8:51 p.m. — Miss by Razorbacks, last tipped by MSU, goes out for Arkansas. 36.7 on game clock, 35 on shot clock, MSU takes timeout.

8:51 p.m. — MSU answers with its own trey, 57-57, we go to the final minute and nobody is sitting.

8:50 p.m. — Clarke with the steal, Clarke with the look down low, Clarke with the head fake, and Clarke with the crowd raising trey.

8:49 p.m. — Zone press from Hogs out of time out, straight 2-3 on the far end. MSU looking for three and finds it with Leonard to tie the game at 54-54. 1:50.

8:47 p.m. — Washington sees another gap and goes for the drive. He gets called for the charge and he is done for the night. Crowd didn’t notice as the media timeout and band fired up before the announcer could get it out. Washington sits down with 7 points, 5 boards.

8:46 p.m. — Britt drains trey at the top of the key, brings the crowd to its feet; Patterson’s dunk tries to sit them down; Hogs up 54-51.

8:45 p.m. — Welsh drives the lane with fantastic body control to push to 51-47, MSU responds to keep it a two-point game, we’re under 3:30.

8:43 p.m. — A game of streaks as MSU has gone 14-3 to tie right before the time out.

8:40 p.m. — Weems three-pointer brings the maroon crowd to its feet as they’ve tied it at 47-47, Welsh gets lead back on layup and a confused offensive possession for Bears leads to time out. Only two left for MSU.

8:38 p.m. — Washington picks up his fourth foul and 8th for team, Mallett to the line for two, gets one and it is a three-point game, 47-43, at 6:10.

8:34 p.m. — Weems breaks away for the dunk just before the media time out to pull MSU back to within four, 47-43.

8:32 p.m. — Leonard’s deep three for MSU takes that to an 8-2 run, UA lead to five, 46-41.

8:31 p.m. — Weems’ three-pointer for MSU is the first of the second half for the Bears. A charging foul on Welsh gives the ball back to MSU and a mini-run is starting.

8:30 p.m. — Britt picks up his third foul for UA, joins Washington in foul trouble. Washington checks back in at the clock stoppage.

8:29 p.m. — If Arkansas keeps this kind of intensity on defense and solid offense, Walton will once again be the place where winning streaks come to die. Last year, it was Oklahoma and Texas. MSU 10-0 coming in.

8:28 p.m. — Powell drives baseline for contact, gets both free throws for the 11-point UA spread, 46-35.

8:27 p.m. — Farmer is the open man this time as the Hogs move the ball around, gives Razorbacks first double-digit lead of second half, 44-33. Creekmore takes it back to nine with short jumper for MSU.

8:26 p.m. — Media time out at 11:26. Razorbacks holding MSU to only 16.7% from the floor while hitting 41.7% themselves. Every Hog that made the court tonight has scored except Nobles. Powell still leads all with 15 with 6 boards.

8:24 p.m. — Crowd comes to its feet at Razorbacks pull down two physical offensive rebounds; Bears were strong on boards in first half and can’t buy position here in the second.

8:23 p.m. — MSU now looking for Clarke and Powell, leaving Washington alone. Thinks about three, then puts it on the floor and beats Weems to the rack. Gets the hoop and the harm, 41-33 Arkansas.

8:21 p.m. — After nine first half offensive boards for MSU, Bears have just one thus far in second half.

8:20 p.m. — Powell leads all scorers with 15 points. Bears hitting only 28.6% from the field (25% in the second half) to Arkansas’ 42.4%. 12 Razorback turnovers hurting.

8:18 p.m. — Mallett layup and foul for MSU gives Bears a 5-0 burst and takes us to a media time out. Arkansas up 36-32.

8:18 p.m. — 14:57 and finally a MSU field goal, dunk by Patterson is the first make in seven attempts.

8:17 p.m. — Another MSU miss, Johnson short jumper for UA and its 36-28 and 17-3.

8:15 p.m. — A 15-3 run for Arkansas since the 3:18 mark of the first half for this 34-28 lead with 16:48 in second.

8:13 p.m. — MSU working a sagging man or zone-like trap, and twice down the floor while overplaying the ball or overfocusing on Clarke the Bears have left Powell uncovered. He punishes MSU with a three-pointer, and now its 34-27.

8:12 p.m. — Powell’s jumper is first points of second half for either team at 18:09; MSU yet to have a rebound on the offensive end — five trips and out for MSU.

8:11 p.m. — Sagging man to man to protect the goal for Arkansas to pen second half; results in three MSU misses and UA rebounds, but Hogs unlucky on their end of floor.

8:10 p.m. — Possession arrow to MSU to start the second half.

8:06 p.m. — Teams back out on court. Second half could get interesting in a hurry with only one time out for UA, three for MSU and we’ve already had one double-technical. Very physical first half, only bound to be more so in the second.

8:02 p.m. — After tonight, its a week-long break from basketball until the Razorback women host Sam Houston State on Dec. 29, then the Razorback men are in North Little Rock’s Verizon Arena for Baylor at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

7:59 p.m. — As the dance team does its holiday Nutcracker themed routine, quick look at some stats. Powell leads UA with 10, Weems leads MSU with 10; UA holds MSU to only 29.7% from field, 21.4% from 3pt; UA at 40.7% FG, but only 12.5% 3P

7:54 p.m. — Final play thwarted by MSU, Bryant’s three rims out but Hogs go to locker room with 29-27 lead.

7:53 p.m. — Unfortunately, that also leaves Arkansas with one time out for the second half.

7:52 p.m. — Bryant flies in from nowhere to reject Nafis with 25 seconds left, Razorbacks take the rebound up the floor and then with 15.7 left call a time out to set the last play of the half. Hogs poised to take the lead into the locker room having survived a serious offensive hiccup midway through period.

7:51 p.m. — Exchange of buckets, and we stay tied. Clarke fouled by Pickens. He gets the first, and the second. UA up 29-27 with 56 seconds left.

7:49 p.m. — Marcus Britt picks the steal and lays it in, the whole house (well, not the people in maroon) is on their feet, and it is starting to be ear-ringing loud. Britt’s layup ties it at 25-25, 8-2 run for Arkansas. MSU calls time out.

7:48 p.m. — And just like that, Powell breaks away to put fans on their feet.

7:47 p.m. — Bryant has now moved up with Clarke with five points for UA; Razorbacks’ early leaders of Powell (6) and Clarke (5) haven’t scored in latter part of first half. Nine turnovers for UA to only 5 for MSU; rest of the stats are pretty even.

7:45 p.m. — Final media time out of half at 3:04, and the Bears are seeing some offensive trouble. One field goal in the last two minutes and Arkansas is back within four, 25-21.

7:45 p.m. — MSU gets its first points (a pair of free throws from Creekmore) in two and a half minutes. Been a while since Bears managed a field goal.

7:43 p.m. — This won’t be popular. Clarke gets a tip and breakaway from a long rebound and proceeds to hit a fast break three. Trail official calls Farmer for a foul as he collides with a MSU player. That wipes the three-pointer off the board and the crowd is really into it now.

7:40 p.m. — Bryant’s acrobatic tip in gets the crowd on its feet. Fuehrmeyer mishandles his dribble and Welsh goes for the tie, the two tangle up and it gets physical. Both teams rush in and MSU calls its first time out of the night to try and calm the crowd. Walton Arena is awakened.

7:38 p.m. — Possession-saving timeout called by Farmer as the scrambles on the floor for a loose ball. Razorbacks now down to only two time outs; MSU still has all five.

7:37 p.m. — Bryan gets the and one, 21-17 MSU.

7:35 p.m. — A steal and coast to coast break by Glenn Bryan breaks the offensive drought, he draws the foul from Fuehermeyer and we go to a media time out, 21-16, MSU.

7:33 p.m. — Just before the time out, a double-technical foul charged to Washington and Pickens. Clock winds past 8:26, marking five minutes without a point for UA; six minutes without a field goal.

7:31 p.m. — Two more MSU buckets and Coach Pel calls a time out. The Razorbacks are being out-rebounded 15-9 right now, which is the difference between a pair of teams that are each shooting 33% from the field.

7:29 p.m. — Mallett’s stickback takes it to 10-0, 17-14 MSU.

7:28 p.m. — Creekmore layup takes the MSU run to 8-0 and first lead since opening bucket for Bears, 15-14.

7:26 p.m. — Three minutes of clock time since last Razorback field goal.

7:25 p.m. — Second media timeout at 11:46 in first half, 14-13 Razorbacks. Back to back 3pters by MSU cut Arkansas lead to one; Hogs hitting 41.7% from field but MSU only 26.7%

7:23 p.m. — Razorback offense gone cold last couple of trips, and a pair of three pointers by Weems pulls MSU to within one, 14-13. Pelphrey calls a time out.

7:21 p.m. — MSU trying to make space inside by spreading the floor. Razorbacks playing the gaps well, so when opening appear, they close quickly. Fuehrmeyer of MSU has to throw up a 30-footer to beat the shot clock, clangs off. Washington fouled on other end, gets one of two, 14-7 Arkansas.

7:20 p.m. — Doubt the defense has found another gear? That’s Rotnei Clarke with the blocked shot.

7:18 p.m. — Farmer falling away for three, 13-7 Razorbacks. Arkansas defense tight, physical; another missed shot for MSU.

7:16 p.m. — First media timeout, Arkansas up 11-7, Powell leads with 6, Clarke next with 5 — neither one has missed a shot; UA hitting 66.7% early. Bears only 33%.

7:14 p.m. — Pair of free throws for the Bears, then Clarke drains a three-pointer from the left elbow to put it at 11-4. MSU gets a three to take back the spread, jumps into full court man themselves after the make.

7:13 p.m. — Farmer packs the Bear shot, Powell picks it up in full stride and he’s off to the far rack. The freshman shakes the rim and brings the house to its feet, 8-2 Razorbacks and a 6-0 run.

7:11 p.m. — Powell sees the seam, drives to the rack, picks up a foul off MSU big man Creekmore. Powell gets both free throws. Arkansas showing more offensive movement against the MSU zone. Bears have come up empty in their last three offensive trips. UA 6-2, 17:30.

7:10 p.m. — Baseline floater for Clarke as he sheds his man, 4-2 Arkansas.

7:10 p.m. — Powell gets the step-back 15 foot jumper to tie it, 2-2, then a steal to end MSU’s next possession.

7:09 p.m. — Razorbacks open with man full court pressure; Creekmore muscles it up over Washington, 2-0 MSU.

7:08 p.m. — Tipoff to UA, Washington top of key, off line but a hustle rebound by Arkansas. MSU opening matchup 2-3, finally forces a travel from Arkansas.

7:08 p.m. — Missouri State’s 10 game winning streak to start the season is their best since going 11 in 1957-58.

7:07 p.m. — Lights up, time to play.

7:04 p.m. — Student intros tonight: Who Cares (Weems), What’s that Smell (Creekmore), Who’s She (Mallett), He’s Cute (Leonard), Big Deal (Pickens) — and the crowd gets into the signs and joins in. Much louder.

7:03 p.m. — 00:00, and welcome to Bud Walton Arena, big roar from home crowd.

7:01 p.m. — We have Santa Hogs — mascots Sue E and Pork Chop are in Kris Kringle gear.

7:00 p.m. — Razorbacks enter, the lights come up and it’s a great crowd; MSU enters to a smattering of applause that only serves to rile up the home crowd. This is going to be Walton Arena atmosphere tonight.

6:59 p.m. — Will be surprised if this isn’t the largest crowd of the early season tonight. You can feel more energy in the arena, and there is a larger student group here than the last couple of games, even with classes being over last week.

6:58 p.m. — Formal Hog call is complete, we are into the pregame video.

6:55 p.m. — Miss Arkansas, 1996, Melanie Moore, sings our National Anthem.

6:52 p.m. — That means Arkansas plays against two of its greatest QB names tonight with Mallett and Creekmore starting for MSU. Floor now cleared by both teams as we get ready for the National Anthem. Fans still working their way into the seats. Clock just hit 11 minutes to introductions.

6:49 p.m. — Starters are up on the stat monitors: UA, Washington, Farmer, Clarke, Nobles, Powell; MSU, Pickens, Leonard, Mallett, Weems, Creekmore.

6:34 p.m. — Pregame clock hits 30 minutes to tip, crowd starting to move in. It’s not a very cold night tonight in Fayetteville. You can tell tomorrow will be stormy. Forecast for Christmas Eve has a chance to light snow, and it always seems to warm up a little before it snows here.

6:33 p.m. — These are your Arkansas Raaaaaaazorbacks; Hogs back on the floor for warm-ups.

6:25 p.m. — Missouri State returns to the floor for stretching to a smattering of visiting fan clapping. The short distance to Springfield should guarantee a good size visitor crowd.

6:17 p.m. — Speaking of Eddins, Blake and Scott Inman are the broadcast crew tonight on the RSN TV broadcast.

6:16 p.m. — Razorbacks head off the floor, notice that Blake Eddins out on the floor chatting up the players.

6:14 p.m. — Missouri State has retreated to their locker room as the Razorbacks continue informal shooting. Rotnei Clarke dressed and in the starting five on the fact sheet for tonight.

6:07 p.m. — 60 minute clock has started.

5:45 p.m. — We’re going to pause for a few minutes while we verify settings for streams and live stats. Both teams are almost all on the floor now for casual shooting.

5:43 p.m. — Another TV reminder, the game at North Little Rock for Baylor is on ESPN2, which means no RazorVision streaming on that game. Usually, we would not stream from Verizon Arena, but with the game on the world wide family, that puts it on ESPN360 for your distant viewing pleasure.

5:42 p.m. — Don’t forget tonight’s game is Razorback Sports Network — check your local listings in the state of Arkansas and the adjacent markets which have Arkansas TV stations on your cable.

5:41 p.m. — Handful of Bears out to shoot and the Razorbacks will move to the west goal to shoot.

5:39 p.m. — Last night we had a full house for the inaugural John Pelphrey Live at Louie’s Grill and Bar. Coach will be there each Monday night at 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. for the rest of the season. Reminded of it as Pel heads out to do his pregame interview with the RSN crew for the game.

5:37 p.m. — Welcome to the media section at Walton Arena as the Razorbacks head out onto the hardwood for informal shooting.