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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Nolan Richardson called it a no-win
situation, coaching against his son and his grandson.
Actually, the Arkansas coach won on two fronts -- his Razorbacks
prevailed on the scoreboard and his son's team competed hard.
T.J. Cleveland made two straight 3s and Joe Johnson scored seven consecutive points as No. 15 Arkansas beat Tennessee State 90-68 Friday night in a game involving three generations of the Richardson family.
"The thing I enjoyed most was that we were able to win the
game, but I've never seen a team buy into a coach's system so
quickly and they aren't even his players," Richardson said.
"Everybody thinks because they came from Tennesse State, they're
not very good, but they've got some players on that team."
For much of the night, the Razorbacks of Nolan Richardson were
outhustled by the Tigers of son Nolan III, who was hired at the
Nashville school in April. Garrett Richardson, Nolan's grandson,
plays for his uncle.
Johnson's seven points were part of a 16-0 run that ended with
Arkansas in front 82-63. Johnson finished with 27 points.
"The guy that got us going was T.J. with back-to-back 3s," the senior Richardson said.
When Tennessee State's Terrick Brown hit a 3 to cut it to 63-60
with barely seven minutes left, Nolan III and his assistants were
on their feet encouraging the Tigers to get their hands up on
defense. Nolan immediately called time.
After several passes, Cleveland made a 3. Brown did the same
from way outside at the other end and then Cleveland was good again
for 69-63. Kyle Rolston committed a turnover and Johnson beat the
shot clock with a 3. He followed with a basket in the lane and then
made a nifty baseline move for 76-63.
The Tigers hung tough until the final minutes.
Brandon Dean scored seven straight as Arkansas opened a 14-point
lead. His production included a pull-up jumper, a 3 and a dunk
after Blake Eddins forced John Gilmore into a bad pass.
But the Tigers closed within 58-51 on a rebound basket by Jamie
Roberts, two free throws by Kevin Samuel, a 3 by Samuel and an
off-balance bank shot by Rolston. Samuel topped Tennessee State
with 20 points.
In the first half, Brandon Davis and Teddy Gipson had two
baskets each and Johnson made two free throws as the Razorbacks
opened a 30-19 lead.
Garrett Richardson hit a 3 that cut it to 32-25. The Arkansas
lead climbed to 11 before Brown scored in the lane and Don Offutt
followed with a 3.
It was 38-32 at the half.
Neither head coach was on the floor during pregame warmups.
Nolan III slapped hands with some students leaning over a metal
railing as he made his way to the court moments before his dad.
The Arkansas coach shook hands with an old friend from Tulsa
seated behind the Razorback bench. He then strolled to midcourt
where he and his son embraced with cameras flashing and a giant,
inflated hog bouncing up and down approvingly in the background.
Nolan III then hugged other Arkansas coaches he had worked with.
Once it began, Nolan III was on his feet more than his father,
but both concentrated on the court.
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Tennessee State Clubhouse
Arkansas Clubhouse
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