Arkansas Can’t Find the Win Column

One day after its startling loss to American-Puerto Rico, No. 12 Arkansas was beaten by Murray State, 94-83, on Thursday, with De’Teri Mayes of the Racers scoring 42 points in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Arkansas (8-2) entered the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic unbeaten. The 64-59 defeat to Division II American-Puerto Rico on Wednesday was the biggest upset in college basketball this season.

It was the first time a player scored more than 37 points against Arkansas since Rick Bullock of Texas Tech had 44 in 1976.

“They just beat us,” Arkansas Coach Nolan Richardson said. “They’ve got a nice ball club. They’re very aggressive, rangy and quick. When you’re ranked, everybody gets up to play you.”

Murray State (10-1) bounced back strongly after losing for the first time this season--a 76-53 loss to Michigan on Wednesday.

No. 19 Syracuse 82, No. 25 Texas Christian 78--Todd Burgan scored 17 of his 23 points in the last 13 minutes, carrying Syracuse (12-0) to victory in the second round of the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic.

With Burgan leading the way, the Orangemen overcame a six-point deficit. Burgan tied the score, 67-67, on a dunk with 6:54 remaining and gave Syracuse its first lead at 69-67 with two free throws.

Texas Christian fell to 10-2.

Michigan 93, American 49--Maceo Baston, Jerod Ward and Louis Bullock scored 16 points apiece for the Wolverines in the second round of the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic.

Michigan (9-3), who never trailed, jumped to a 14-2 lead with less than five minutes gone and led, 27-4, with 9:44 left in the first half.

American (6-7) was led by Orlando Santiago with 16 points.

Iowa State 62, Saint Louis 57--Paul Shirley, limited to one basket through 19 1/2 minutes of the second half, converted a three-point play with 39 seconds left to clinch victory for the Cyclones (6-5) in a consolation-bracket game in the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic.

Saint Louis (8-3), which lost its third in a row, got 16 points and six rebounds from Ryan Luechtefeld. Larry Hughes, the freshman sensation who is playing with a sore right wrist, had 14 points.