Three-Point Shooting Slump Dooms Razorbacks in 67-59 Loss at Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -Josh Dollard and Frank Tolbert scored 18 points apiece and Auburn snapped a four-game losing streak with a 67-59 victory over Arkansas on Wednesday night.

The Tigers (15-13, 5-8 Southeastern Conference) made 8-of-10 free throws over the final 1:21 after the Razorbacks threatened a comeback. The win gave Auburn its most victories since going 22-16 in 2003 and damaged the Razorbacks’ already fading NCAA tournament hopes.

Arkansas (16-11, 5-8), which trailed by 10 points early in the second half, cut it to 59-56 on Gary Ervin’s free throw with 1:28 left. But Tolbert made five of his six attempts at the line down the stretch.

DeWayne Reed made two more after Patrick Beverley’s 3-pointer with 31 seconds left cut it to 64-59.

Tolbert and Dollard took over the scoring for Auburn in the second half, combining for 23 points. Dollard scored eight of the Tigers’ first nine points after halftime.

Despite a big size disadvantage, Auburn outrebounded the Razorbacks 43-31, led by Korvotney Barber.

Barber had 12 points and 14 rebounds. Tolbert had 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.

Beverley led Arkansas with 16 points despite missing his first five 3-point attempts and shooting 6-for-16. Darian Townes added 13 in just 21 minutes.

Two of the Razorbacks’ top scorers struggled. Charles Thomas fouled out with 2:26 left after scoring nine points and Sonny Weems had four points, seven below his season average.

Arkansas made just 3-of-18 3-point attempts, missing all nine in the first half. The Razorbacks couldn’t build on the momentum from a 17-point victory over Mississippi and have lost three of their last four games.

The Tigers led by as many as 11 points three times in the first half, then held on for a 32-25 halftime lead.

Arkansas scored seven straight points to cut it to three with 1:50 left. Then, Quantez Robertson closed with a fast-break layup and a putback at the buzzer.

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