Arkansas beats Auburn on road

Posted 8:14AM on Sunday 6th January 2002 ( 23 years ago )

AUBURN, ALABAMA - Carl Baker had spent much of this season sitting on the Arkansas bench and was averaging less than one point per game going into Saturday's game with Auburn. But the junior forward said he knew he would get his chance. That opportunity came Saturday as Baker came off the bench to score 17 points and lead Arkansas (9-4) to a 83-77 victory over Auburn (8-4). ``I just sat around and waited for my opportunity,'' Baker said. ``Once I got my chance I knew that I had to step up and perform at my best.'' Baker said Arkansas Coach Nolan Richardson had told him to be prepared for his chance. Richardson said in addition to the points, Baker had a key steal early in the game. ``He is one of the few guys who can play under pressure, plus he is a guy who can anticipate and that is where his steal came from,'' Richardson said. Baker led a balanced attack as Arkansas played 13 players and had four players score in double figures in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams. Paced by Adam Harrington's four first-half three-pointers, Auburn led 34-22 with five minutes to go in the opening half. Arkansas then used its fast-break offense and forced turnovers with a full-court press defense to go on a 11-0 run and outscored the Tigers 20-3 over the final five minutes of the first half to take a 42-37 lead. Auburn Coach Cliff Ellis said those final minutes of the first half and Arkansas' depth were keys to the game. ``Our main goal coming in was to match their depth. They made some runs when we had some inexperienced players in,'' Ellis said. ``I have to give Arkansas credit. They have good depth and they are a great basketball team.'' Baker scored all seven of his first half points in the final five minutes, including four points in the last 13 seconds of the half. The Razorbacks stretched their lead to 50-40 in the first three minutes of the second half, but could not close the door on the Tigers until the final minute. Auburn played the game without center Kyle Davis, the leading shot blocker in the Southeastern Conference (3.5 per game), who has a hyperextended right elbow. Marquis Daniels led Auburn with 21 points, including 11 in the second half to keep the Tigers close. Freshman forward Brandon Robinson had 10 points and 15 rebounds to fill some of the void left by the missing Davis. Ellis said the Tigers missed Davis the most on defense. ``With the absence of Kyle, we couldn't really run the press and we didn't have a shot blocker in the game,'' Ellis said. Auburn cut the Arkansas lead to five points at 80-75 with 34 seconds to play, but could not get closer. Guard J.J. Sullinger scored 16 points for Arkansas and hit several key free throws in the final minutes. Jannero Pargo and Brandon Dean scored 10 points each for the Razorbacks. Sullinger said the road win was a good way to start the SEC schedule. ``This game was a very physical one,'' Sullinger said. ``The refs let us play and they called fouls both ways. I was happy that they let the players decide who won.'' Harrington finished with 16 points for Auburn, while Marco Killingsworth had 11 and Mack McGadney 10. Before the game, Auburn honored Henry Harris, captain of Auburn's 1972 basketball team and Auburn's first black athlete. Harris died in a fall from a building in 1974 at the age of 24.

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