NASHVILLE (KFSM) - It wouldn't be an Arkansas basketball game without some late game dramatics. The Razorbacks won their first SEC Tournament game since 2008, beating Tennessee 80-72 in the quarterfinals Friday night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Bobby Portis led the Hogs with 26 points. Michael Qualls added 20.
Everything went right for Arkansas to start the game. The Hogs made their first eight shots, jumped out to a 13-0 lead and shot 51 percent from the floor in the first half compared to Tennessee's 16 percent.
Bobby Portis scored 18 of his game high 26 points in the first half as the Hogs led 45-25 at the break.
Then for the second straight night Tennessee made a comeback. The Vols cut the deficit down to just nine 8:30 into the second half, using an 11-2 run while making eight of 10 field goals in that span.
A Kevin Punter three pointer then gave the Vols another 8-0 run and cut the lead down to 67-62 with 4:48 left.
Arkansas did not make a basket in the last 7:18 of the game but used 13 made free throws down the stretch to clinch the win.
The Hogs will play Georgia Saturday at approximately 2:30 p.m.