JACKSONVILLE, FLA. (KFSM)- The best Arkansas basketball season in nearly two decades came to an end Saturday night with a 87-78 loss to North Carolina in the third round of the NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena.
The game saw 10 ties and 11 lead changes, most of those in the second half. Arkansas held its last lead at 10:55 of the second half after a Jabril Durham three pointer made it 59-58. North Carolina then went on a 13-2 run in the next three minutes to give them their largest lead at that point, 71-61.
The Razorbacks committed a season high 21 turnovers that North Carolina turned into 23 points.
Michael Qualls carried Arkansas with 27 points while pulling down 10 rebounds. Bobby Portis added 18 points and 14 rebounds in what could have been the final game in a Razorback uniform for either Qualls or Portis. Rashad Madden had 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting in his final game for Arkansas.
Arkansas (27-9) finished with its most wins in a season since 1995 and best SEC record (13-5) since 1994.
The Razorbacks have not advanced to the Sweet Sixteen since 1996, missing out in their last eight tournament appearances.
North Carolina got 22 points, including 9-of-9 from the foul line, from Marcus Paige while Justin Jackson added 16.