Roach’s shot extends game, with Ramey putting end to it

FORT BLISS — Texas needed Kerwin Roach III back probably more than they thought.

Roach, who missed the season opener Tuesday due to team violations, hit the game-tying 3-pointer with one second remaining in regulation to send the Armed Forces Classic against Arkansas into overtime. He earned a doubledouble with 18 points and 11 rebounds in the 73-71 victory Friday night.

“I wanted to come out here and play to win,” Roach said. “We had a rough stretch where nothing was falling for a while.

“I’m glad I was able to be back out there with my team and get one to fall.”

The winning shot came from UT freshman guard Courtney Ramey, who hit a floater with 47 seconds remaining in overtime.

“Roach hit the three to tie it, so to get the gamewinner is big for my teammates,” Ramey said. “I find myself as a playmaker and my teammates put me in a good position all night.”

The Longhorns (2-0) shot just 31 percent to the Razorback’s 41 but forced 18 turnovers and got clutch shots at critical times.

“We’ve emphasized all season long what goes into winning close games,” Texas coach Shaka Smart said. “For a while in that first half, we thought it wasn’t going to be a close game.”

Arkansas jumped out to 13-5 lead in the first five minutes, then UT followed with a 22-2 run over the next seven minutes.

Arkansas closed the gap to 36-30 at the half and took its first lead in 24 minutes of play at the nineminute mark of the second half off an Isaiah Joe 3pointer.

Arkansas’ Daniel Gafford led all scorers with 20. Sophomore Jericho Sims also had a big night for Texas, putting up 14 points

The Armed Forces Classic brought together 1,200 soldiers and their families to enjoy a high-energy showdown between two old Southwest Conference rivals.

And it came down to the final seconds.

“This whole experience over the last three days has been phenomenal,” Smart said. “The game itself was a great opportunity for us in November.

“It was a loud venue and a great college basketball atmosphere. I’m glad these servicemen and women got to experience a high-level college basketball game.”