FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) – With a week to think about his worst shooting performance of the season, Arkansas junior guard Mason Jones said he just focused on one thing heading into Saturday’s game against Tulsa: Bounce back.
Jones shot 1-of-9 from the floor in an 86-79 road loss to Western Kentucky last Saturday when he scored just 8 points in Arkansas’ first loss of the season.
It was a complete reversal against Tulsa as Jones hit his first shot of the game, a 3-pointer 57 seconds in and finished with a career-high 41 as the Razorbacks rolled to a 98-79 win.
Arkansas (9-1) built a 16-point first-half lead, then held off a Tulsa run midway through the second half that saw the Razorbacks’ lead trimmed to single-digits.
Jones did his damage in a variety of ways, including five 3-pointers and three three-point plays on slashing drives to the basket. He also had six rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Jones did not do it alone. Fellow backcourt mate Isaiah Joe scored 20 points and hit three of his first four 3-point attempts to help the Razorbacks grab an early double-digit lead that swelled to as much as 16 points with a little over 12 minutes remaining in the first half.
Joe, who was 8-of-14 from the floor and had four 3-pointers, said the week between games was big to help the team recharge from the loss to Western Kentucky.
Tulsa (8-3) rallied midway through the second half and pulled within nine points at 68-59 on Darien Jackson’s breakaway layup with 11:49 left, but Jones had an answer, going on a personal 10-0 run that bumped Arkansas’ lead to 81-61 with 8:07 left. In the run, Jones had a three-point play, a 3-pointer and four straight free throws.
Tulsa coach Frank Haith said his team had no answer for Joe and Jones.
Elijah Joner led Tulsa with 19 points and Martins Igbanu finished with 18.
BALL PROTECTION
Arkansas had only two first-half turnovers and just eight for the game. It’s an area Musselman said his team will need to continue to focus on with just two nonconference games left on the schedule before heading into SEC play on Jan. 4.
BUZZER-BEATER
With just five seconds left in the first half, Jones got the ball near midcourt and launched a shot at the buzzer that hit the back of the iron and bounced high above the backboard before coming back down through the rim for a 50-34 lead.
Jones thought he was also fouled on the play but didn’t get the call.
UP NEXT
Arkansas hosts Valparaiso in North Little Rock on Saturday.
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