Ferguson Free Throws Help Hogs Hold Off Missouri State

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) – Ronnie Brewer passed the career 1,000-point mark with a 3-pointer Thursday night that gave Arkansas a 7-point lead with 15:38 remaining and the Razorbacks went on to get a 79-75 victory over Missouri State.

Brewer led Arkansas (7-2) with 19 points.

The Razorbacks ended the first half with a 12-2 run that put them up 44-31 at intermission, then held off a late rally by the Bears.

Missouri State, which had been hitting 50 percent of its long-range shots this season, went 2-for-11 from beyond the arc against the Razorbacks in the first half.

The Bears also committed 21 turnovers that resulted in 26 Arkansas points.

Arkansas and Missouri State both scored more than half their points underneath the basket – 40 points in the paint by Arkansas and 46 by the Bears.

Missouri State put together a 9-1 run at the start of the second half and regained the lead briefly, 62-61, with 7:04 left.

Steven Hill tipped in a layup to get the lead back in Arkansas’ hands, and Eric Ferguson hit a jumper from 16 feet to make it 65-62. The Bears regained the lead at the 4-minute mark, 66-65, but Brewer blunted the threat with a driving layup that gave Arkansas the lead for good.

Eric Ferguson entered the game just two-of-eight at the line for the year, but was three-of-three for the game, including a pair with 10.6 seconds remaining to give the Razorbacks a 78-74 lead.

Charles Thomas added 17 points for Arkansas, Darian Townes 15and Ferguson11.

Blake Ahearn’s 16 points and Tyler Chaney’s 14 points topped the Bears’ scoring.

Download: missouri state box.pdf