7:22 p.m.– HELLO HOGS FANS! Welcome to our Hog Hoops blog for tonight’s game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs (15-4, 3-1). Arkansas (8-11, 1-3) is looking to avenge a loss at Starkville, Miss. on January 14th against the Bulldgos, 84-82. We hope you are staying safe with this winter storm in the northwest Arkansas, and thanks again for following.
7:42 p.m.- Almost 15 minutes from tip-off and it’s safe to say the majority of fans here tonight are students. Not many Hogs fans away from campus wanting to brave the weather, so that could be an advantage for Mississippi State on the road. We’ll find out soon.
7:49 p.m.- Mississippi State still on the floor running shooting drills as the Hogs head to their locker room. Don’t forget you can watch tonight’s game on ESPN at 8 p.m. as you follow us right here.
7:56 p.m.- The P.A. announcer John George shouts out “THEEEEESE ARE THE ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS,” as the Hogs hit the floor with about three minutes until tip.
8:02 p.m.- Here are the starting lineups: Arkansas- Courtney Fortson, Marcus Britt, Rotnei Clarke, Michael Washington, and Marshawn Powell; MSU- Kodi Augustus, Ravern Johnson, Jarvis Varnado, Dee Bost, and Barry Stewart.
8:07 p.m.– MSU opens the games scoring on two second-chance opportunities, lead early 4-0.
8:09- Hogs control a, 5-4, advantage following a layup by Marshawn Powell then a trey by Rotnei Clarke following a Bulldog turnover.
8:12 p.m.- Arkansas point guard Courtney Fortson has headed to the locker room following an injury, but is now returning to the court. Looked to be hobbling on his ankle, but will not be re-taped. Looked to be just walked off the injury.
8:14 p.m.- Timeout of the floor and with 15:07 left in the opening half MSU leads 10-5. Courtney Fortson, Michael Washington, and Marshawn Powell all returning to the game for the Hogs.
8:18 p.m.– 14:09 to play and the Bulldogs lead, 10-8, after Powell’s two free throws cuts the lead.
8:20 p.m.- Hogs continue to throw the ball inside, but Varnado does a great job at altering shots when he can’t get a hand on them. MSU leads 13-7.
8:31 p.m.- Arkansas is continuing their inability to score by shooting 3-of-13 or 23% thus far from the field.
8:33 p.m.- Hogs have gone on a nice little run here and trail 15-13 with 6:50 to play in the first half.
8:38 p.m.- Ultimate shot blocker Jarvis Varnado picks up his second foul of the game with six minutes to go in the first half. We’ll see how that will effect MSU’s defense.
8:40 p.m.- With 2 seconds on the shot clock, MSU is called for a foul which puts Arkansas in the bonus. Bulldog head coach Rick Stansbury was up and off the bench, clearly upset with that call. He wanted a travel.
8:42 p.m.- I correct an earlier statement. Jarvis Varnado only has one foul credited to him. MSU leading 21-13, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the line.
8:49 p.m.- A POWERFUL dunk by Ravern Johnson opens up a 10-point lead for the Dogs, 25-15, with just over two minutes to play in the opening stanza.
8:51 p.m.- Marshawn Powell picks up his third foul late in the first. Could be trouble for the Hogs inside game. Glenn Bryant enters for Powell.
8:52 p.m.- Bulldogs open up a 12 point lead following two free throws.
8:53 p.m.- Stef Welsh is on the board with his first points of the game after nailing a three-pointer, cutting into the MSU lead.
8:55 p.m.- Welsh drains another from downtown cutting the Bulldog lead, 29-21, and we’re headed to halftime at Bud Walton Arena. Stat updates coming soon.
8:56 p.m.- Stats Update: Leading Scorers: Ravern Johnson (MSU) 10 points, Marshawn Powell (Ark) eight points.
9:11 p.m.– We’re set to begin the second half. Arkansas HAS TO win the rebounding battle in the second-half if they expect to win this game. Powell has three fouls and they’ll need him on the court in order to do that. Arkansas needs to make some shots as well if they want to out man MSU. Should be a good half.
9:13 p.m.- Stef Welsh has six points off the bench and re-enters the game. Still neither team has scored in this half.
9:14 p.m.- Michael Washington picks up his third foul of the game, then Ravern Johnson makes a running one-hander, MSU now leading 31-21.
9:18 p.m.- Courtney Fortson goes on a short 5-0 run of his own, but a three by Barry Stewart end that and MSU leads 34-26 and we have a timeout on the floor.
9:23 p.m.- The University of Arkansas has officially canceled classes and the student sections lets out a loud cheer here at Bud Walton Arena.
9:24 p.m.- Fortson makes an incredibly reverse layup then drains and three and the MSU lead is cut to 37-32.
9:26 p.m.- Fortson pours in two from the charity stripe, and he has scored seven straight for the Hogs and 14 this game.
9:28 p.m.- Hogs take advantage of a second-chance opportunity as Glenn Bryant tips one in cutting the Bulldog lead to five.
9:32 p.m.- Next foul on MSU will put Arkansas in the bonus. They’ll need to make free throws and keep forcing tough shots to make a run down the stretch. Fortson make one of two free throws, cutting the lead to 43-37.
9:37 p.m.- Mississippi State has pushed this lead back to 11 after a run.
9:42 p.m.- Courtney Fortson has clearly taken over this game with 19 second-half points, but the Hogs still trail 51-43.
9:45 p.m.- Another bucket by Fortson gets the Hogs within six.
9:47 p.m.- Timeout Mississippi State! BWA is on it’s feet calling the hogs after a 7-0 run. Stef Welsh drained a three then a tough layup by Fortson puts the Hogs within reach to take the lead.
9:48 p.m.- With 25 points, Courtney Fortson ties a career high set in 2008 against South Alabama. Hogs trail, 53-50, with 5:30 to play.
9:50 p.m.- Marshawn Powell is playing with four fouls, and Dee Bost nails two free throws extending the Dogs lead to 55-50 with 5 minutes to play.
9:51 p.m.- A trey by Fortson puts the Hogs within two of Mississippi State, 55-53, and John Pelphrey calls a timeout.
9:52 p.m.- BWA is going nuts as a layup by Welsh ties this game at 55 and the Hogs have the ball back with four minutes to play. A turnover on an over-and-back call gives the ball to MSU.
9:54 p.m.- Another amazing dunk by Ravern Johnson of MSU. This time it gives his team a, 57-55, slight lead with 3:25 to play. Calling the Hogs here in Bud.
9:56 p.m.- Lots of action going on as we’re knotted up again this time at 57-57 following a layup by Powell. Fortson steals the MSU possession and he’ll be at the line with two shots coming out of this media timeout. In the NBA that would’ve been a “clear path,” foul but here it’s just a hold. Pelphrey wanted an intentional called though on a smart play by MSU.
9:59 p.m.- And the Hogs have a 58-57 lead after a free throw by Fortson. He has 29 on the night.
10:01 p.m.– MSU’s Barry Stewart fouls out and Welsh makes a free throw giving Arkansas a 59-57 lead with 1:50 to play.
10:03 p.m.– Fortson pushes his career-high to 31 points and gives Arkansas a two possession lead. A layup by Jarvis Varvado put the Hogs lead at 61-59 with one minute to play.
10:04 p.m.- Hogs come up with a steal and the fouling game begins. Fortson is at the line as the student section chants: “COURTNEY, COURTNEY, COURTNEY.”
10:05 p.m.- After two free ones by Fortson, Arkansas has opened up a six-point lead, 65-59, with 30.9 seconds to play in this one.
10:07 p.m.- A three-pointer by R. Johnson keeps this game within reach for the Dogs, 65-62, with 15.4 to play. Johnson now has 19 points in the game.
10:09 p.m.-Rotnei Clarke makes two free throws and seals this win for the Hogs, 67-62. Arkansas improves to 9-11, 2-3, on the season while Mississippi State falls to 15-5, 3-2. Courtney Fortson scores a career high 35 points in this game to lead the Hogs.
Final Arkansas 67 Mississippi State 62
Thanks for reading! We’ll see you next time!