Staff Report
Atlanta – Mason Jones banked in a step-back 3-pointer from about 25 feet with 0.1 seconds left on the clock in overtime to lift Arkansas to a 62-61 victory at Georgia Tech Monday night.
Jones scored 24 points, added six rebounds, four steals and three assists in the win for Arkansas.
Sophomore guard Isaiah Joe just missed his first career double-double as he had 13 points and a career-high nine rebounds with five steals, only one shy of his career high.
Arkansas took a one-point lead, 8-7, at the 16:12 mark of the first half and did not surrender it until Tech’s James Banks made a jumper with 21 seconds left in overtime, putting the Yellow Jackets up 61-59.
Tech’s defense was tough on the perimeter after Banks’ jumper.
But after crossing half court, Jones passed the ball to Joe who made a few dribbles to his right and threw the ball back to Jones.
Jones made a couple of hard dribbles to his and launched the final shot that caroomed off the backboard and into the basket for the win.
The game-winner was Jones’ third game-winner in the closing seconds of his career.
Last year, Jones free throw with two seconds left helped secure a 73-72 win over Indiana and then later he delivered another game winner with a short jumper in the lane for a 90-89 win at then #19 LSU.
Arkansas returns home to play Northern Kentucky in the final game of the Collegiate Hoops Roadshow on Saturday (Nov. 30). Tipoff is set for 4pm.
Faulkner County Focus Sports 