Arkansas Rallies, Knocks Off No. 7 Texas

FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas might not be in the Top 25, but it's showing a knack for beating teams that are.

The Razorbacks knocked off a highly-ranked Big 12 team for the second time in three games with Tuesday's 67-61 victory against No. 7 Texas.

Arkansas (12-1) was left out of the polls after last week's 96-88 victory against then No. 4 Oklahoma. With the victory against Texas the Razorbacks won their 10th consecutive game and ended the non-conference season on a high note with a Walton Arena crowd of 19,012 and an ESPN2 audience tuning in.

"After beating Oklahoma, we knew we could come out and play anybody," guard Stefan Welsh said. "And we proved that."

Arkansas did it despite an awful first half and a season-low 38.7 percent shooting performance. Key contributors Michael Washington and Courtney Fortson were limited early because of foul trouble, but the Razorbacks still found a way to knock off another highly regarded opponent.

And the Razorbacks did it by scrapping for offensive buckets and playing tough defense against Texas, which led by as many as eight in the second half.

"We slugged around and fought and scratched and got through the first half," Coach John Pelphrey said. "... There's just something about them. They do fight."

It wasn't until the 3:32 mark of the second half that Arkansas had fought back to take a lead. Stefan Welsh, who finished with 20 points, connected on a three-point shot that had been so elusive for the Razorbacks much of the night. Arkansas was 5 of 18 from behind the three-point line, giving its inside players little room to operate.

Still, forward Michael Washington again led the way for the Razorbacks, finishing with 22 points and 9 rebounds His score and free throw with 22 seconds remaining pushed Arkansas up 65-61, prompting a Texas timeout and the loudest Hog Call of the evening.