Unranked Arkansas upsets No. 1 Auburn 80-76 in OT

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (A P) — Auburn came onto the Bud Walton Arena court acting like a No. 1 team, dancing on the Arkansas logo before the game.

When it was over, the Razorbacks and all their fans were the ones doing a victory stomp — led by a shirtless coach going hog wild.

JD Notae scored 28 points and unranked Arkansas used clutch foul shooting in overtime to knock off top-ranked Auburn 80-76 Tuesday night.

The Razorbacks (19-5, 8-3 Southeastern Conference) hit 11 of 14 free throws in the final 1:52 of overtime in front of a raucous record crowd of 20,327.

Arkansas students stormed the court after the final buzzer sounded, turning the floor into a sea of white. Several Razorbacks players stood on a table on the sideline twirling towels.

Arkansas coach Eric Musselman ripped off his shirt — as he’s occasionally done in the past — and joined the celebration. No matter that his arm is still in a sling after rotator cuff surgery last month, he wasn’t going to miss this pulsating party.

It was the first time an Arkansas team had beaten a No. 1-ranked team since 1984 against North Carolina.

Auburn (22-2, 10-1) had won 19 straight since a double-overtime loss to Connecticut in November.

Jabari Smith scored 20 points and Wendell Green Jr. had 19 for the Tigers. Walker Kessler finished with 16 points and 19 rebounds.

“I was proud of being No. 1. Gosh, we haven’t lost since some time in November,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said.

Arkansas led by as many as 12 points in the first half before the Tigers rallied within 28-25 at the break.

Auburn took a 64-59 lead on a 3-pointer by Green with under three minutes left. But Arkansas came back to tie it at 66 when Williams scored underneath in the final half- minute of the second half.

In overtime, Auburn took a 68-66 lead on an putback by Allen Flanigan, then later went ahead 70-69 when Dylan Cardwell picked up a loose ball in the lane and scored.

The Razorbacks scored the next seven points, all on foul shots by Williams and Notae. Williams finished with 13 and 11 rebounds. Chris Lykes also hit a pair of clutch free throws for the Razorbacks.

STREAKS

The win was the ninth straight for the Razorbacks, with eight of those in SEC play after opening 0-3. Arkansas’ last loss was at Texas A&M on Jan. 8 by 86- 81.

UP NEXT

Auburn: Will host Texas A&M on Saturday.

Arkansas: Will be at Alabama on Saturday.