FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Auburn’s basketball team was close, so close, to a crucial road victory over streaking Arkansas.
Frankie Sullivan’s long 3-pointer as time ran out in overtime was so close, hitting the back of the rim.
“I thought it was good when it left my hand,” Sullivan said. “I lost control of the ball (on the dribble). I could have gotten a better shot than that. It was a tough loss.”
The foul that sent center Brendon Knox to the bench and Arkansas’ Courtney Fortson to the free throw line late in regulation was so close to being a charge.
Close. So close.
But in the end, the Tigers suffered a disappointing 82-79 loss before a crowd of 15,036 at Bud Walton Arena.
Auburn fell to 11-12 overall and 2-6 in the Southeastern Conference. Arkansas, on top of the West Division, won its fourth straight and improved to 12-11 and 5-3.
Fortson’s acrobatic layup with 14.1 seconds remaining in regulation gave Arkansas to a 67-65 lead, but Andre Malone caught a desperation heave from Sullivan under the basket and put it in to force overtime.
“It was a heartbreaking loss for our kids,” Auburn coach Jeff Lebo said. “We had a 3 ball at the end of the game that went in and out and a block-charge call at the end of the game. If that goes in and we get a call, it may be a different thing. It’s a fine line between feeling real good right now and not feeling too good."
Fortson, who was suspended for the first 14 games of the season, scored eight of his game-high 24 points in overtime. He also had 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Auburn jumped out to a 36-27 lead in the first half, but went cold and led just 38-36 at halftime.
Sullivan and Tay Waller scored 18 points apiece to lead Auburn. Lucas Hargrove scored 15. DeWayne Reed scored 13, but was just 4-of-13 from the field.
Auburn plays Georgia Wednesday night at 8 at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.
