The Traveler

Media Credit: Jonathan Gibson At 1-10, Arkansas is tied with Georgia for the worst record in the Southeastern Conference.

Time and time again this season, Arkansas has seen a lead slip away.

It happened again Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena, and this time, LSU came away the victor.

Marcus Thornton scored 28 points to lead the Tigers in a come-from-behind 72-69 win over the Razorbacks, who have dropped three straight home games.

The loss is Arkansas' sixth straight overall, the longest such losing streak for the Razorbacks since the 1971-72 season.

To put that in perspective, Arkansas' "triplets" - Ron Brewer, Marvin Delph and Sidney Moncreif - didn't play together until the 1975-76 season.

These Razorbacks, however, had a more difficult time putting their latest loss in perspective.

"It's tough [to lose] knowing that we had an opportunity to win that game," Arkansas freshman guard Rotnei Clarke said.

Fellow freshman Courtney Fortson said LSU deserves credit for the win.

"Of course we're down about the loss, but LSU is a great team," Fortson said. "They came in here and wanted it. They got the win. We've just got to go back to practice tomorrow and work harder."

Clarke and Fortson each scored 17 points to lead the Razorbacks (13-11, 1-10 Southeastern Conference), while Jason Henry and Michael Washington added 10 points apiece.

Fortson, who returned to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension, helped keep Arkansas competitive in the second half, scoring all 17 of his points after intermission.

"I was just taking what the defense gave me," Fortson said. "In the second half [LSU's big men] showed too early and I was able to get around the corner."

The freshman said he was just happy to be back in the lineup after his suspension.

"I felt good coming back out here and playing in front of the home crowd," Fortson said.

After a relatively slow start to the game, Arkansas sprinted out in front of the Tigers. The Razorbacks went on a 17-3 run over a nearly six-minute stretch midway through the first half. At one point, Clarke had scored more points (12) than the entire LSU team (9).

Clarke said the Hogs were doing everything right in the first half.

"We had a lot of energy on both sides of the floor," Clarke said. "We were playing together really well as a team. We were flying around and showing some passion. The fans were picking us up and keeping us going. We played really well."

Arkansas built up an 18-point lead as a result of the run, but the Tigers responded with a run of their own.

LSU (22-4, 10-1) outscored the Razorbacks 16-4 over the final 4:41 in the first half to cut Arkansas' lead to 32-26 at halftime.

In the second half, LSU took over on the offensive glass. The Tigers finished the game with 20 offensive rebounds and 20 second-chance points.

Key to LSU's success on the glass were Tasmin Mitchell and Chris Johnson, who combined for 13 offensive boards.

"We knew they were a very athletic and strong team up front, as far as big men go," Arkansas forward Michael Sanchez said. "We knew they'd be crashing the boards hard."

First-year LSU coach Trent Johnson said he expected Mitchell and Johnson to play well in the second half after a lackluster start to the game.

"The way we were to start the game and the way we were at halftime, Tasmin and Chris and anybody else out there should have gotten something done in the second half because we were god-awful in the first half," Johnson said.

Arkansas assistant coach Tom Ostrom said the youthful Razorbacks are experiencing growing pains, but it won't stop them from working to get better.

"Obviously they're down and dejected, but they know when they play well and play as a team, we've got a chance to be right there in a game with anyone," Ostrom said. "The growing pains are hard and they're very, very painful. But it's a resilient bunch. These guys have shown an unbelievable ability to bounce back from these tough losses and have great attitudes. They come back to practice the next day and get back to work."

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