Box Score Dec 8, 2001
Final Stats
Video Clips
By RICK GANO
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO - Arkansas played its trademark in-your-face defense Saturday, swarming the court, pressuring the ball and making every possession a difficult one for No. 5 Illinois.
In the process, the Razorbacks repeatedly sent Illinois to the free throw line, particularly in the second half.
And that's where the Illini were able to pull out a victory, rallying to beat the Razorbacks 94-91 and deny Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson his 500th career victory.
"It's a little frustrating. They're a run-and-gun type and you don't get the shots you want every time you come down the court," Illinois guard Frank Williams said.
"They are a good pressure team and we knew they would get after us. In the second half we calmed down and got it under control."
Williams scored 25 points, hitting 18-of-24 from the line, and also had a last-second steal.
Arkansas, which led by 12 early in the second half, forced 22 turnovers - 17 in the first half - but couldn't overcome Illinois' 37-13 advantage at the line.
"Frank shot more free throws than my whole team," Richardson said.
Brandon Dean led Arkansas (4-3) with a career-high 29 points, but he was called for an offensive foul with 5.5 seconds to go - his driving shot banked into the basket but didn't count.
"Teams decide the outcome. Great officiating does not let a call that determines the outcome of a game, and that was the determining factor," Richardson said.
"I could understand if (Dean) was way up in front and had run over somebody, but that ball was shot and the guy was standing under the basket. That's a no call - you play ball."
Arkansas' Jannero Pargo scored 28, with seven 3-pointers.
Damir Krupalija's dunk on a pass from Cory Bradford with 11 seconds left gave the Illini (7-2) a 92-91 lead. Dean then drove the middle, ran into Illinois center Robert Archibald and was called for the critical foul.
"I thought it was a charge. I thought the call may have been it hadn't left his hand," said Illinois coach Bill Self, who returned to the team after two days in the hospital. He had tests for intestinal problems that he said are not serious.
Williams hit two free throws with 4.5 seconds left to make it 94-91. Dean tried to advance the ball upcourt for another shot but Williams knocked it away.
Arkansas missed five straight free throws at one stretch and was 8-for-16 in the second half, finishing 13-of-21. Illinois was 37-of-49 for the game, including 23-of-28 in the second half.
Williams made 16-of-18 from the line and had 21 of his points in the final 20 minutes.
"The way they play, they are always going to pressure the ball hard, and Frank had the ball the majority of the time," Self said. "I wish he would have had it more."
Bradford's jumper with 6:30 left gave the Illini their first lead at 71-70. Illinois pushed the lead to nine with two minutes left when Sean Harrington sank a 3-pointer and Williams hit two more from the line.
But Dean hit a 3-pointer and then drove for a basket to make it 87-83. J.J. Sullinger's three-point play with 58 seconds to go got Arkansas to 90-88.
After a steal, the Razorbacks moved the ball around the court several times before Chicago native Pargo hit a 3-pointer, making it 91-90 Arkansas with 31 seconds remaining.
Richardson needs one win to become the 17th active Division I coach with 500 victories. At Arkansas, where he is in his 17th season, his record is 380-158.
The Razorbacks played their vaunted scrappy and physical defense, relying on double teams and speed to force the Illini into 17 first-half turnovers, leading to 16 points.
Behind 11 points each from Dean and Pargo, Arkansas built a 36-26 lead with 3:54 left before Illinois made a late run to get within two at the half.
Dean had a three-point play and Pargo made a 3-pointer in a 10-0 run starting the second half that made it 48-36.
