NCAA Tournament 2017, Arkansas vs Seton Hall: Highlights, score and recap

Highlights from Friday’s South Region First Round game between the eighth-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks and No. 9 Seton Hall Pirates from Greenville.

The Arkansas Razorbacks earned yet another second half comeback victory with a 77-71 win over Seton Hall in the South Region 8/9 game on Friday afternoon in Greenville, with the aid of what will be one of the most talked about referee decisions of the tournament.

Arkansas opened up the action by making six of its first eight shots, but could get no separation due to dominance on the glass by Seton Hall’s Michael Nzei, who replaced the injured Ismael Sanogo in the starting lineup. Moses Kingsley paced the Razorbacks with six quick points, helping Arkansas to a 17-12 advantage.

That would prove to be the largest lead either team could muster in the first half, as the game was largely played within a one-possession margin. While the Pirates didn’t get much production from the perimeter, Nzei and Angel Delgado combined to grab nine of Seton Hall’s 12 first-half offensive rebounds, leading to a 37-37 tie at the half.

The Pirates never managed to take the lead before the break thanks to 15 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting from Kingsley. Khadeen Carrington finally connected on a 3-pointer on the first possession of the second for an initial advantage, but the two teams continued to go back and forth with neither opening up much of a margin.

After Dustin Thomas hit a pair of shots to help Arkansas open up a 50-46 advantage, Seton Hall’s offense suddenly found an explosive element with a 12-1 run. Carrington and Madison Jones combined for eight points over a two-minute span, giving Seton Hall a 62-54 lead at the 9:29 mark.

Kingsley scored his first points of the second half on the next possession, and it was a four-point game once again two minutes later. Arkansas continued to battle defensively against the superior rebounding and physicality of Seton Hall, and managed to tie the game at 68 on Jaylen Barford’s layup with 5:13 to go.

With Seton Hall leading 71.-70 with under a minute to go, Arkansas came up with a steal and Barford fast-break layup to go back in front, followed by a travel from Carrington. Desi Rodriguez was then called for a controversial flagrant while attempting to foul in the final 30 seconds, helping Arkansas seal a 77-71 win.

While the bad call on the flagrant hurt, Seton Hall committed 15 turnovers and shot just 37 percent from the field. Arkansas overcame 20 Pirates offensive rebounds by shooting 47 percent and outscoring Seton Hall by five at the free throw line.

Three Stars

3. Jaylen Barford, G, Arkansas. Hit a number of crucial shots in the second half to finish with 20 points and seven rebounds.

2. Angel Delgado, F, Seton Hall. Kept the Pirates’ lackluster offense in the game with nine offensive rebounds and 12 points.

1. Moses Kingsley, F, Arkansas. Turned in ultra-efficient offensive performance with 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the field, in addition to four blocks.

Highlights

Up Next

Arkansas moves on to the South Region Second Round to likely face top-seeded North Carolina, which will provide an even tougher challenge on the boards.