Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Gafford fills up stat sheet
FAYETTEVILLE — If Saturday’s regular-season finale was Arkansas sophomore Daniel Gafford’s swan song at Walton Arena, the 6-11 forward left one heck of an impression.
Gafford blew up for 29 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in the Razorbacks’ 82-70 victory over Alabama.
Gafford added 2 blocked shots, 2 assists and 1 steal for his packed stat line, which included 6 offensive rebounds and 6 dunks.
When he checked out for the final time with 1:24 remaining, he got hugs and high-fives while going down the bench, and Arkansas fans chanted “One more year.”
The refrain started back up when he did an interview with the SEC Network after the game.
“I couldn’t do nothing but laugh,” Gafford said. “Fans always try to make sure you hear them.”
Gafford posted his 10th double-double of the season — and he got it in the first half with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
“I was in my zone finishing around the basket,” Gafford said.
“You could tell he was hungry out there,” Arkansas guard Isaiah Joe said. “You can’t do anything else but reward him and get him the ball.”
Gafford made 11 of 17 shots and 7 of 9 free throws.
According to Hogstats. com, Gafford joined
Joe Kleine and Charles Balentine as the only Razorbacks with 29-plus points and 16-plus rebounds in a game.
“Gafford is a handful,” Alabama Coach Avery Johnson said. “He looked like he was on a different level than everyone else on the court. That’s why I was hoping he would have already been gone by now.”
Gafford wowed the crowd early in the second half when he wound up with the ball near the Alabama free-throw line after a couple of live-ball turnovers. It took Gafford a second to get the ball under control, so he didn’t see point guard Jalen Harris streaking toward the Arkansas goal. Gafford kept his dribble alive, flew past half court and pulled up just past the free-throw line for a finger roll layup and 40-31 Arkansas lead.
“I know that’s not going to happen again in a million years,” Gafford said.