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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Rotnei Clarke set a Southeastern Conference record with 13 3-pointers, part of a scintillating 51-point performance in Arkansas' 130-68 win over Alcorn State on Friday night. Clarke made nine of his 3-pointers in the first half as the Razorbacks built a 71-26 lead in their first game after a tumultuous offseason. Arkansas (1-0) was missing five suspended players in its season opener against Alcorn State (0-2), but the small crowd at Bud Walton Arena had plenty to cheer about.Clarke also broke the school scoring record, eclipsing Martin Terry's mark of 47 points, and the SEC record for 3-pointers held by Arkansas' Al Dillard, who had 12. With the program in desperate need of something to feel good about, Clarke delivered. The sophomore finished 15 of 21 from the field and 13 of 17 from 3-point range. He scored 31 points in the first half.Clarke made his first seven shots, all from 3-point range. When he finally missed for the first time, a few fans in the student section started applauding politely, as if they'd just seen a pitcher lose a no-hitter. His final points came on a 3-pointer after a nifty crossover dribble, and he exchanged an exuberant chest bump with teammate Marshawn Powell near midcourt. Alcorn State Braves vs. Arkansas Razorbacks - Recap - November 13, 2009 - ESPN |
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Originally Posted by ESPN
Arkansas will be down to nine players when it opens its season on Friday night against Alcorn State after coach John Pelphrey meted out suspensions stemming from various disciplinary problems since the end of the 2008-09 season.
Top returning scorer Courtney Fortson and starter Stefan Welsh both have been suspended indefinitely while key reserve Marcus Britt will miss the first six regular-season games. Freshman Glenn Bryant will miss the Razorbacks' first two games while walk-on Nick Mason will not be allowed to play during the fall semester. According to police reports, Britt, Bryant and Mason were all present at a fraternity party in August where a woman alleged three unnamed basketball players raped her. The prosecutor's office decided not to press charges. Pelphrey, however, said at the time that although his players were cleared of any criminal wrongdoing they would be punished for code of conduct violations. After the alleged rape, Fortson made a crude comment on his Twitter page. At the time, Pelphrey indicated Fortson as well as the others involved might receive a two- or three-game suspension. Losing Fortson for the long haul will have a serious impact on the rebuilding Hogs. Welsh also was suspended for the Razorbacks' exhibition game last week, but Pelphrey declined to say why. Arkansas sports information director Phillip Pierce said "there were several incidents between the end of last season and now" that merited the suspensions and that they were not all related to the incident at the fraternity party. All of the suspensions will be served concurrently. "In the course of this process, we analyzed each student-athlete's situation independently and made determinations based on each set of circumstances," Pelphrey said. "We will continue to address disciplinary matters in a straightforward manner and take action when players do not meet the expectations of conduct required of our student-athletes. Our program remains committed to representing the University of Arkansas, individually and collectively, in an appropriate manner." As a freshman last season, Fortson averaged 14.8 points per game for the Razorbacks, dishing out 172 assists. Welsh, a senior, started 24 games, averaging 11.5 points and 2.9 rebounds. Britt appeared in all 30 games. Arkansas already is without Michael Sanchez, who is battling plantar fasciitis, leaving a roster of nine players that includes former football team member Brandon Mitchell and golfer Stephen Cox. |