Hogs thrill celebrity crowd, down LSU

FAYETTEVILLE — Inspired by an audience that included former President Bill Clinton, former Arkansas Hall of Fame coaches Eddie Sutton and Nolan Richardson and members of the Final Four team Sutton coached and the three Final Four teams Richardson coached, this year’s Razorbacks turned the tide on the LSU Tigers Saturday at Walton Arena.

Arkansas had lost by 14 to the Tigers in Baton Rouge, La., but netted 81- 70 revenge measuring up to ceremonies honoring the Razorbacks past Final Four teams of 1941, 1978, 1990, 1994 and 1995.

Michael Qualls, 12 of his 13 points in the first half; Coty Clarke, scoring all 16 points in the second half, and guard Ky Madden ( 21 points) and forward Bobby Portis ( 15 points) both halves insured the Razorbacks would win their celebration day and advance to 16- 9 overall/ 5- 6 in the Southeastern Conference going into Wednesday night’s game against South Carolina at Walton.

Arkansas also got a huge

crowd- igniting dunk from Alandise Harris starting a second half comeback after LSU had taken its only lead since the game’s 2- 0 start.

LSU had forged ahead 57- 54 when Harris’ dunk followed by two Portis baskets set the Razorbacks on a game- ending 27- 10 run.

LSU, led by fabulous forward Johnny O’Bryant fouling out with 20 points and 16 rebounds, falls to 15- 10, 6- 6.

Other than Jordan Mickey’s game- opening layup, LSU never led during the first half that Arkansas led as much as 10 ( 3121 at 13: 58 on Kikko Haydar’s three- pointer) before LSU rallied to trail just 37- 33 at intermission.

Arkansas hit LSU early with a spree of threes, 5 of 7, including three by Michael Qualls and one each by Bobby Portis, Fred Gulley and Haydar.

Unfortunately for the Hogs, Qualls wasn’t as accurate from the first- half free- throw line, 1 of 5 while missing the front end of three one- and- ones, but his 12 points led all first- half scorers.

Arkansas played the final 16: 34 of the first half without senior starting forward Clarke, two quick fouls, and he got his third early in the second half.

Arkansas honors Final Four teams at halftime

FAYETTEVILLE — Sidney Moncrief’s No. 32 jersey, Corliss Williamson’s No. 34 jersey and a special 390 jersey signifying Richardson’s 390 Arkansas victories will hang in the rafters at Walton Arena next season, it was announced during the halftime ceremonies of Saturday’s Arkansas- LSU game honoring the Razorbacks past five Final Four teams and attended by former President Clinton.

Clinton was presented by Richardson with a No. 42 jersey, signifying him being the 42nd U. S. President and 42nd Arkansas Governor.

Sutton also was on hand as well as host of players from Arkansas’ 1978 Final Four team, including Moncrief, that Sutton coached and the 1990, 1994, and 1995 teams that Richardson coached, including the Williamsonled 1994 national champions.

Williamson is currently an assistant with the Sacramento Kings.