Poor second half dooms Razorbacks again
Matt Jones
Issue date: 3/9/09 Section: Sports
If there is a recurring theme for the Arkansas Razorbacks this season, it's that the team struggles after halftime.
That fact reared its ugly head again Sunday as Arkansas hit just 18 percent of its shots in the second half and fell 75-58 at Vanderbilt.
"We had a very difficult time shooting the basketball in the second half," Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. "There's only one other time I've ever heard of a team shooting 18 percent in a half - back in 1984, I think. You're not going to win any games on the road or at home shooting like that in the second half."
The Razorbacks (14-15, 2-14) trailed 39-35 at halftime as point guard Courtney Fortson hit a 3-pointer as time expired on the period.
The freshman finished the half with 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting, but struggled after the break and finished the game 7-of-27 from the floor.
"When things aren't going well in terms of getting baskets, I think sometimes as a player you want to go get it started yourself," Pelphrey said. "It's part of his fighting spirit that we love. But there are times when that hurts you. I thought there were more opportunities for him to pass it off.
"He didn't read the defense as well as he could have."
The second half slump didn't stop at Fortson, though. After pulling within 51-47, the Hogs went on a 6-minute, 20-second scoring drought that saw the Commodores build a double-digit lead.
Vanderbilt (19-11, 8-8) outscored the Razorbacks 24-11 over the last eight minutes as Arkansas fell to its worst conference record since joining the SEC.
"Our regular season is over with," Pelphrey said. "Nonconference is over with. Now, postseason is available."
The Razorbacks will take Monday off before traveling to Tampa, Fla., Tuesday in preparation for Thursday night's SEC Tournament first round game with Florida. While acknowledging it's doubtful the Razorbacks will win the tournament, Pelphrey drew on recent experiences to highlight anything is possible.
"When you talk about winning the SEC Tournament, it's within the realm of possibility," Pelphrey said. "Arkansas has won it playing four games. Georgia did the unthinkable last year.
"The difference between now and last year is there isn't this great disparity between our teams. Anyone can beat anybody else. If you think it can't happen, look at last year."
That fact reared its ugly head again Sunday as Arkansas hit just 18 percent of its shots in the second half and fell 75-58 at Vanderbilt.
"We had a very difficult time shooting the basketball in the second half," Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. "There's only one other time I've ever heard of a team shooting 18 percent in a half - back in 1984, I think. You're not going to win any games on the road or at home shooting like that in the second half."
The Razorbacks (14-15, 2-14) trailed 39-35 at halftime as point guard Courtney Fortson hit a 3-pointer as time expired on the period.
The freshman finished the half with 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting, but struggled after the break and finished the game 7-of-27 from the floor.
"When things aren't going well in terms of getting baskets, I think sometimes as a player you want to go get it started yourself," Pelphrey said. "It's part of his fighting spirit that we love. But there are times when that hurts you. I thought there were more opportunities for him to pass it off.
"He didn't read the defense as well as he could have."
The second half slump didn't stop at Fortson, though. After pulling within 51-47, the Hogs went on a 6-minute, 20-second scoring drought that saw the Commodores build a double-digit lead.
Vanderbilt (19-11, 8-8) outscored the Razorbacks 24-11 over the last eight minutes as Arkansas fell to its worst conference record since joining the SEC.
"Our regular season is over with," Pelphrey said. "Nonconference is over with. Now, postseason is available."
The Razorbacks will take Monday off before traveling to Tampa, Fla., Tuesday in preparation for Thursday night's SEC Tournament first round game with Florida. While acknowledging it's doubtful the Razorbacks will win the tournament, Pelphrey drew on recent experiences to highlight anything is possible.
"When you talk about winning the SEC Tournament, it's within the realm of possibility," Pelphrey said. "Arkansas has won it playing four games. Georgia did the unthinkable last year.
"The difference between now and last year is there isn't this great disparity between our teams. Anyone can beat anybody else. If you think it can't happen, look at last year."
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