Missouri holds off Arkansas to snap losing streak

~ The Tigers ended a three-game losing streak with an 86-85 win

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Jabari Brown had tons of room to hit the go-ahead shot. The Missouri guard made the most of a 4-on-4 matchup that's an NHL overtime staple but a rarity in college basketball.

On the deciding possession in the Tigers' 86-85 victory over Arkansas on Thursday night, guard Jordan Clarkson made the inbounds pass and then stayed put because Mardracus Wade was denying a return feed. Both players were far-away spectators when Brown drove the lane, spun and hit a floater for the last of his 25 points with 12.2 seconds left and allow Missouri to survive a late surge by the Razorbacks.

"I just made the decision just to stay back because then there was going to be nobody to help on Jabari's drive or whatever he was going to do," Clarkson said. "He made a great play and made a great shot."

Brown noticed there was more space, even though Missouri's other scoring option was not available.

"I didn't want to settle for a jumper," Brown said. "I wanted to try and get a shot going toward the basket and I was able to get a pretty good shot."

Clarkson had 27 points to lead Missouri (17-7, 5-6 SEC), which ended the first three-game losing streak of coach Frank Haith's three seasons. The last two wins have come against the Razorbacks (15-9, 4-7) and former Missouri coach Mike Anderson, including a four-point win on the road Jan. 28.

Rashad Madden had 17 points for Arkansas, which scored 10 straight points to take an 85-83 lead with the go-ahead points on Wade's layup with 1:14 to go after Clarkson's blown layup on the other end. Madden drove the lane for a shot that rolled out with two seconds to go.

"I told the guys we didn't lose the game -- we just ran out of time," Anderson said. "We gave ourselves a chance."

Arkansas is 1-5 on the road and 3-23 in three seasons under Anderson.

Alandise Harris added 16 points and Bobby Portis had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Razorbacks.

Missouri made its first 23 free throws to tie a single-game school record before Brown, who'd been 9 of 9, missed the first of two shots with 14:06 left. The Tigers set a school record with 27 in a row over two games, topping the previous best by one and set a season best by going 34 of 38 overall.

Over two games, Missouri made 40 straight free throws against Arkansas.

Brown was 14 of 15 and Clarkson was 11 of 13 on Thursday.

"Obviously," Haith said, "we have the right guys going to the line."

The teams combined for 50 fouls, 25 apiece, and that made for choppy play and lots of bench time. Wes Clark fouled out for Missouri and all told five players finished the game with four fouls. Madden was 8 for 10 at the line for Arkansas.

"I thought it was a great game but I thought it was really disruptive," Anderson said. "It took how long, two hours? Two and a half? Phew, man."

Earnest Ross had his third double double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds for Missouri. The Tigers' four other players who had major minutes combined for 19 points.

Missouri led by 11 early in the second half, trailed by four and regained an eight-point cushion with 3:40 to go before Arkansas' 10-0 run with two points each from five players.

Missouri led 48-42 at the half with Brown (16 points) and Clarkson (12) carrying the load. The first-half scoring was a season best. Brown scored 10 straight points for the Tigers late in the half capped by a three-point play that made it 42-35 with 2:54 to go.

Attendance of 12,362 was a season best at Missouri, although more than 2,500 shy of capacity.