BasketBlog: Vanderbilt

2:44 p.m. — That’s it from Walton Arena today as the Razorbacks fall for the first time at home to Vanderbilt, 89-72. The #16 Commodores break their nine game losing streak in Fayetteville today. Powell leads with 27 points, followed by Clarke with 14 and Washington’s 11 point, 13 rebound double.

2:40 p.m. — Two free throws and another rebound and Washington’s got his double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

2:38 p.m — Washington gets the layup inside with nine points to go with his 12 rebounds. Missed the three-point play opportunity. Vandy’s lead back under 20, 87-68, with 1:20 left.

2:36 p.m — Fortson gets his first three-pointer of the day, only the sixth so far for Hogs; 87-64 Vandy with 1:55 left.

2:31 p.m. — Powell gets another deuce to move to 27 points, 9 boards; media time out.

2:30 p.m. — Clarke’s three-pointer takes him to 14 points and Razorbacks call a time out with 4:24 left, trailing Vandy 83-61.

2:28 p.m. — Powell now at 25 points for the day, 11-of-20 overall with eight rebounds. He is four points off his career high. Downside for the Razorbacks is while Powell is 11-of-20, the rest of the team combined is 11-of-42.

2:27 p.m. — The forecast for tsunami is a 3:05 central time landfall in Hawai’i.

2:25 p.m. — Hogs in a hole at 75-53 with 6:57 left to play; 23.1% in second half and 14% from trey compared to 47.6% for Vandy; who is at 57% for game.

2:23 p.m. — Things not going Arkansas’ way as we hit the seven minute mark. Powell hits inside, but Hogs down 75-53 with just under seven left. Takes us to the media time out.

2:21 p.m. — Razorbacks call a time out as a 9-3 run, all free throws but one field goal, gives Vanderbilt a 73-48 lead with 8;24 left to play.

2:19 p.m. — Watching in the background the tsunami alert for Hawai’i; we understand men’s basketball broadcast is back on line.

2:18 p.m — Good news from Baum, two-run homer puts Arkansas head 4-1 over Troy.

2:15 p.m. — Tempers flare between Ogilvy and Farmer, a crowd collapses in and after the pushing a whistle and a technical on someone. Waiting for the outcome. Foul charged to Farmer, then a double technical between Powell and Ogilvy.

2:14 p.m. — Pace of the game beginning to slow down as only seven total points scored in the last three minutes of clock time. Nevertheless, Commodores use a pair of free throws from Tinsley to get their first 20 point lead, 66-45.

2:12 p.m. — Commodores using a 2-3 zone to push Arkansas’ shooters further out, and limit the Hogs ability to get the ball inside to Washington and Powell.

2:08 p.m. — A 10-3 run by Vandy pushes the Commodore lead out to 62-44.

2:02 p.m. — We understand that all of RSP has gone off the air — men’s basketball and baseball — and the problem is ISP system wide. We are working with the network headquarters to reestablish.

1:59 p.m. — Commodores take 58-43 lead at the first media break of the second half.

1:56 p.m. — Stallings upset as his Commodores let Arkansas turn into a running game, get easy bucket for Powell’s 23rd and trim it to 52-41.

1:54 p.m. — Ogilvy takes an inbounds for easy layup; now a 7-0 VU run. Washington goes inside on the next trip, and picks up Ogilvy’s third foul. He’ll take a seat and Ezeli subs in. Both throws are good for UA to snap the run and make it 52-39.

1:51 p.m. — From down at baseball, Hogs now up 2-1.

1:50 p.m. — Jenkins hits trey for Vandy and a quick time out for Pelphrey. 50-37 now VU.

1:49 p.m. — For those wondering where Courtney Fortson was in the first half, there he is driving to the rack to open the second. Doubles his first half scoring to make it 45-37.

1:48 p.m. — Hogs inbound to start the second half.

1:46 p.m. — Johnny Cash day at Walton as the band breaks into Ring of Fire. You know, it was the Arkansas native’s birthday anniversary earlier this week (Feb. 26).

1:43 p.m. — Powell continues his charge on the SEC all-freshman team — if not freshman of the year — with today’s performance. He has 21 so far today off 9-13 from the field

1:40 p.m. — 100 Years of Razorback celebrations continue and today’s Fan of the Year for men’s basketball is drawn. Today’s winner, Robert Counce of Lowell, advances to the Fan of the Century drawing at the 2010 spring football game on April 24. To learn more, jump here.

1:35 p.m. — Remember, the last halftime of this year is dedicated to a salute of Mike Nail, the veteran voice of the basketball Razorbacks who is retiring after this season.

1:33 p.m. — Clarke has 8 for Arkansas. Pom Squad headed to floor for a senior choreographed routine and their final dance of the season.

1:33 p.m. — Halftime with 16th-ranked Vandy up, 45-35. Commodores hitting 65% from field and a perfect 9-9 at the line; Powell leads UA with 21.

1:31 p.m. — Hogs holding for last shot of the half. The three is no go and we go into the locker rooms at 45-35.

1:30 p.m. — Against the roar, Vandy works it inside for a foul on Washington. Both free throws are good and VU back to 10 spread, 45-35.

1:29 p.m. — Powell goes inside to cut it back to 10, Vandy makes a pass to no one. Washington goes high to low post to Powell, who Tomahawk jams it home to bring Walton to its feet. 43-35, with just over a minute left.

1:27 p.m. — Final media timeout of first half, VU leads 43-31; Hogs starting to shoot better and have more luck in disrupting VU; need strong finish.

1:23 p.m. — Back-to-back inside buckets for Vanderbilt bring Pelphrey up from the bench for a time out. Commodores regain their 10+ lead at 39-27. Meanwhile at Baum Stadium, Troy jumps on Arkansas for a 1-0 lead in the first.

1:22 p.m. — After four straight miscues by both teams, Fortson whips one no-look inside to Powell. The freshmen gets Ogilvy airborne for the foul, but can’t make the three-point play. Still, Hogs back under double-digits with 35-27 at 4:20.

1:21 p.m. — Battling turnovers.

1:20 p.m. — Welsh goes backdoor to bring it back to 10, then tangles up with Ogilvy for a VU turnover. Powell misses a three, but Welsh makes an open-court steal. Takes it inside on Ogilvy, to commits the foul. Welsh misses both; still 10 -point game.

1:18 p.m — Powell breaks into double digits driving inside. He has 11 and the score is 33-21. Powell gets the rebound and reverses the stick-back to cut the Vandy lead to 10, 33-23. Foul on Clarke as Dores bring it up court. One-and-one now for VU, Tinsley gets both.

1:17 p.m. — Washington takes the charge from Beal, not a lot of offense past clock minute and a half, only two for VU.

1:15 p.m. — Commodores push advantage to 31-19; Hogs hitting 38.9% from field, VU at 63%; Powell leads UA with 9, Clarke 8.

1:13 p.m. — Washington now challenges Ogilvy; the Commodores’ big center makes contact, but he’s got the block to take us to the third media timeout. Much to the chagrin of the crowd, I might add.

1:12 p.m. — Clarke’s second three-pointer takes away the old fashioned; 29-19 VU.

1:11 p.m. — Ogilvy’s and-one over Washington puts Vandy ahead by double digits, 29-16, at 8:27.

1:10 p.m. — Clarke’s first three-pointer gets the crowd up and breaks a mini-run by VU. 23-16 Commodores.

1:07 p.m. — That’s back to back treys for Powell and a 6-0 personal run to make it 18-13; crowd gets loud but a foul on Ogilvy put him at the line, sinks both.

1:06 p.m. — Pelphrey springs a full-court trap on the Commodores; they don’t react well, first with the trap and then with a turnover trying to exploit the defense.

1:05 p.m. — Powell’s trey makes it 18-11 VU at the 11:50 media TO; Hogs 33% from field, VU at 57% and 12 of 18 pts in the paint. Powell leads UA with 7 points and 3 boards early.

1:03 p.m. — Powell drops the first trey of the game and we go to a timeout, 18-11 VU with 11:50.

1:03 p.m. — Hogs get one of two at the line, down 16-8 at 12:13.

1:00 p.m. — Powell’s rebound and maneuvering around a scrum of players in the lane breaks the 8-1 Vandy run; brings crowd into the game. VU gets awkward shot then a foul on Ezell as he battles for the rebound.

12:59 p.m. — Washington gutting it out on the floor; VU taking their game outside. Taylor gets the 15 footer; 14-5 Dores.

12:58 p.m. — Will Washington change Vanderbilt’s offense? Initially, Dores work for inside shot with Ogilvy, but he kicks out into a potential turnover. On the inbounds, VU does shoot from the outside — first made FG outside the paint; 12-5 VU.

12:57 p.m. — Before the time out, foul on Andre Walker sends Britt to the line, he gets one of two.

12:55 p.m. — Commodores hitting 57% from the field at this first time out; most of it in the lane — in fact, every made bucket for the Dores is in the paint — 8 of the 10. The other two? Free throws from a drive in the lane. Razorbacks hitting 33% from the field and three turnovers hampering Arkansas’ early offense.

12;55 p.m. — Foul on Vandy takes us to first media timeout.

12:54 p.m. — Vandy takes it inside again, 10-4.

12:53 p.m. — The Sixth Man becomes restless; big round of applause when the crowd notices Mike Washington head to the scorer’s table to check in.

12:52 p.m. — Clarke drives inside, 4-0 Hog run; Razorbacks switch back to man defense; Vandy gets bad shot. Miss by Arkansas, make inside on a nice baseline reverse by Ogilvy; 8-4 VU 16:30.

12:51 p.m. — Hogs change to match-up zone, frustrates VU into bad shot.

12:51 p.m. — Marcus Britt’s stick-back puts Arkansas on the board at 18:09.

12:50 p.m. — Another Arkansas turnover; another inside basket by VU; 6-0.

12:49 p.m. — Commodores force a turnover from Razorbacks in their man-to-man defense; back up court as the Dores look to attack Arkansas inside again without Washington. Taylor draws a foul, gets two shots; 4-0 Commodores.

12:47 p.m. — Opening tip to the Razorbacks, missed opportunity; up court for Vanderbilt. Hogs open man to man, Ogilvy drives inside for two.

12:43 p.m. — The student signs today: (Walker), (Taylor), What’s That Smell (Oglevy) He’s Cute (Jenkins) (Beal)

12:41 p.m. — What was that ring-around-the-free throw line dance by the Commodores?

12:41 p.m. — Lots of media speculation about Washington’s ability to play today on their blogs and Tweets. Washington moving a little better in the last shooting warm-ups before introductions.

12:40 p.m. — The 16th-ranked Commodores play against history today. Vanderbilt has never won in Fayetteville; 0-2 at Barnhill and 0-7 at Walton Arena.

12:39 p.m. — Oh yes, lights up; big crowd.

12:36 p.m. — Sensing a big crowd from the rumbling sound of the fans singing along with the anthem; also a loud formal Hog Call.

12:34 p.m. — National Anthem, with the colors provided by Arkansas Air Force ROTC.

12:33 p.m. — Starters for UA; Fortson, Britt, Clarke, Johnson, Powell; for VU, Beal, Ogilvy, Jenkins, Walker, Taylor; we are 10 minutes to introductions.

12:24 p.m. — Commodores join the Hogs on the floor; crowd continues to build. Here’s a look at today’s TV crew getting ready for their opening stand-up shot.

12:22 p.m. — These are your Arkansas Razorbacks — the formal entry into the arena.

12:18 p.m. — Nice crowd already at the arena. Today is foam finger day — the first 3,500 get their #1.

12:11 p.m. — Now entering Bud Walton Arena, these are your Arkansas Razorbacks; we are 31 to tipoff. Mike Washington is dressed out, but is obviously limping on the bad ankle.

12:00 p.m. — We are on the game clock; rolling down to about 43 minutes to tipoff. Keep in mind, today’s game is a 12:47 start.

11:52 a.m. — Razorbacks wearing some new "Impossible is Nothing" warm-up shirts today.

11:51 a.m. — Mike Washington just walked past the media area; he looks like he’s moving pretty well.

11:45 a.m — Today is the start of a super fast-paced three weeks for all Razorback fans. The second game of a three-game series with Troy starts at 1:05 p.m. at Baum Stadium. We’ll have Twitter updates from there today, and we’ll try to keep you up here through the basketball game blog. The SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships started yesterday, and hit full stride today with an all-day schedule at the Tyson Track Center.

11:45 a.m. — Both teams are on the floor for shooting and stretching; the Commodores doing their stretching in a circle right in front of our position.

11:35 a.m. — Remember, today’s game is on the SEC Network, the over-the-air package from the league. Check your local listings for the channel in your area. Also, don’t forget the game will stream live as video from ESPN360 and audio from the Razorback Sports Network at RazorVision.

11:30 a.m. — Welcome to Walton Arena. It is a beautiful day in Fayetteville; not a cloud in the sky and pretty warm for winter in the high 40s.