'Bama Beats No. 22 Arkansas

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 20, 1999 / 11:18 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

Jeremy Hays picked a great time to hit his first 3-pointer of the season.

Hays scored a season-high 24 points, including a key 3-pointer as the shot clock was winding down, and Brian Williams added 21 as Alabama beat No. 22 Arkansas 67-60 Wednesday night.

After Arkansas (13-5, 3-3 SEC) closed to 59-56 with 1:41 left, Alabama had the ball out of bounds with five seconds remaining on the shot clock. The inbounds pass went to the 6-foot-10 Hays, who sank a 20-footer to put the Tide up by six.

"It was a busted play," said Hays, who has attempted only three 3-pointers this season. "Somebody had to put the ball up so I shot it. I can shoot 3-pointers. I practice them."

His long shot gave Alabama (12-7, 2-4) a 62-56 lead with 1:03 left.

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"That shot was the play of the game," said Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson. "We've had plenty of tape on all our opponents and a guy like Hays hasn't made a 3 all year. But he made one when they had to have it."

Derek Hood led Arkansas with 18 points.

"When Derek Hood goes 7-for-10 and is our leading scorer, we aren't going to win," Richardson said.

Pat Bradley added 15 points for Arkansas, but was only 5-of-16 from the field. Kareem Reid, Jason Jennings and Chris Jefferies -- the other three starters -- were a combined 3-of-21.

"I thought we acted like we didn't know when to shoot and when not to shoot," Reid said.

Bradley's 3-pointer tied it for the last time at 39.

Williams then made a 12-footer in the lane and turned a steal into a dunk to trigger an 8-0 run that put Alabama ahead for good. MC Mazique and Hays then took advantage of Hood, playing with three fouls.

The lead dwindled to three, but Arkansas' defenders lost Hays and he scored easily. He added two fee throws and a 15-foot jumper to give Alabama a 57-50 lead.

Alabama made five of its first seven shots en route to an 11-4 lead.

Bradley's basket pulled Arkansas to 11-10, but Alabama then scored six straight points, including inside baskets by Mazique and Williams.

Chris Walker hit a 3-pointer to give Arkansas its first lead at 21-19, but Hays quickly tied it with a 17-footer and there were two more ties before dunks by Hood and Jefferies gave Arkansas a 32-28 halftime lead.