ATHENS — J.J. Frazier began showing symptoms of a migraine before tipoff and "just wasn't right" during the game, according to Georgia coach Mark Fox.
That revelation must have been a surprise to Arkansas.
Frazier scored 26 points, including the tying basket late in regulation, and Georgia overcame a late crisis at the free-throw line to beat Arkansas 76-73 in overtime on Saturday night.
Yante Maten had 17 points and 12 rebounds for Georgia (11-6, 4-3 Southeastern Conference), which led 74-68 but helped Arkansas stay close by missing four straight free throws in the final 20 seconds.
"It's not an epidemic yet, but it almost cost us," said Fox of the missed free throws. Georgia made only 16 of 30 (53.3 percent) for the game.
Kenny Gaines, who scored 16, including a basket that gave the Bulldogs the lead for good at 68-67, said he was "exhausted" in overtime.
"It doesn't give us any excuse to miss as many free throws as we did," Gaines said. "We should have closed it out a little earlier."
Dusty Hannahs led Arkansas (9-10, 3-4) with 24 points. Anton Beard had 18.
Georgia led by six points midway through overtime but had to survive the crisis at the free-throw line. Gaines and Charles Mann each missed two free throws in the final 20 seconds of the extra period as Arkansas cut the lead to 74-73.
Frazier ended the streak of misses by making each of his two free throws with 6.5 seconds remaining.
Anthlon Bell missed a desperation 3-pointer for Arkansas. He said he expected to be fouled when he took the shot.
"I just tried to hurry up and shoot it because I saw them reach in," Bell said. "That was a smart play on them not coming in to foul."
Frazier wasn't available for postgame interviews due to his migraine.
"If every competitor could have the heart of that guy, they would have an advantage from the start," Fox said. "His competitiveness and his will to win carried him through a lot of discomfort today, and it's also contagious."
Gaines said he was aware Frazier was battling the migraine.
"He's a tough-minded kid," Gaines said. "He played through it."
Hannahs was charged with a turnover when Georgia's Kenny Paul Geno pressured the inbounds pass with 17 seconds remaining in regulation.
The call was upheld after officials reviewed video of the play.
"There were some controversial things that took place out there," said Arkansas coach Mike Anderson. "But give Georgia credit, they did what they had to do to hold serve at home. We had opportunities, a lot of opportunities, to finish this game off and there are only so many windows of opportunities."
TIP-INS
Arkansas: Moses Kingsley had 11 points and 10 rebounds. ... Hannahs finished two points shy of his career high. ... The Razorbacks' streak of three straight wins in the series with Georgia ended.
Georgia: Maten suffered a cut lip late in the game, leaving blood on the court. He quickly returned to the game and later was seen by a doctor. ... Maten recorded his fourth double-double of the season. ... After coming off the bench the last three games, F Houston Kessler made his 13th start and had seven points and four rebounds.
OVATION FOR SMART
New Georgia football coach Kirby Smart drew a standing ovation when he led a procession of recruits around the court and into the stands during the first half. Smart, the former Alabama defensive coordinator, is a former Georgia player and assistant coach.
"First of all I want to tell you what an honor it is to be back home," Smart said. "This truly is and always will be my home, the University of Georgia."
UP NEXT
Arkansas: Hosts No. 10 Texas A&M on Wednesday night.
Georgia: at LSU on Tuesday night.
