FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas, down 14 with 11 minutes to go, needed a 20-4 run and clutch free throws from Davonte Davis, Chris Lykes and JD Notae inside the final minute to pull out a 77-74 exhibition win over East Central University Sunday afternoon at Bud Walton Arena.
East Central, coached by former Arkansas graduate assistant Max Pendery, took the lead midway through the first half and pushed its two-point lead to a game-high 14 (60-46) with 11:02 left. From that point, Arkansas went on its 20-4 run. It started with a 6-0 spurt before a basket by the Tigers. The Razorbacks then scored 10 unanswered before the Tigers scored. The Razorbacks reeled off four straight to complete the comeback and lead 66-64 with 5:09 left.
Notae scored six during the run, Lykes had five, Jaylin Williams and Davis each had four and Au’Diese Toney scored one.
Arkansas led by six (71-65) at the 3:21 mark only to see East Central regain the lead, 72-71, with a 3-pointer by Josh Apple with 57 seconds left.
Davis put Arkansas back in the lead by one with a pair of free throws seven seconds later. With 22 seconds left, Lykes drilled two from the charity stripe. Brennan Burns got the Tigers within one, 75-74, with two free throws with six seconds left. However, Notae iced the game with two free throws with five ticks left for the 77-74 win.
Davis led Arkansas with 20 points while Notae added 17. Toney recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 15 rebounds (nine offensive). He additionally drew a charge with 35 seconds left which helped secure the win. Williams, whose energy and three blocked shots helped spur the win, just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Lykes finished with 13 points.
Apple led all scorers with 23 points while Jalen Crutchfield scored 15 for East Central.
Up next, Arkansas will host North Texas Saturday. Tip-off is set for 4 pm in Bud Walton Arena.
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