Box Score

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Michael Washington scored 18 of his career-high 30 points in the second half and Arkansas made clutch free throws late to rally past Southeastern Louisiana in overtime, 91-87, in the season opener for both teams Friday at Bud Walton Arena.

The freshman tandem of Courtney Fortson and Rotnei Clarke added 18 and 17 points respectively in their collegiate debut as Arkansas (1-0) made 10 of 16 free throws in the extra period to pull away for the win.

Southeastern (0-1) took a 32-31 lead on a pair of free throws by freshman DeShawn Patterson and the Lions built a 38-36 advantage at halftime. Arkansas closed to 57-56 on Marcus Britt's 3-pointer with 9:38 remaining in the game before Southeastern went on a 13-4 run, capped by Brandon Fortenberry's three-point play to take a 70-61 lead with 5:52 left.

Fortenberry gave Southeastern a 76-70 lead with 1:40 remaining before Arkansas got a bucket from Fortson and a 3-pointer by Clarke to close to within 76-75. Fortenberry made one of two free throws for the Lions, but Fortson tied the game at 77-77 with a layup with 8.2 seconds left.

Washington, who went 10-for-16 from the floor and was 9-for-16 from the free throw line, scored six straight points in overtime, including four free throws as Arkansas built an 87-81 lead.

Southeastern closed to within 88-87 after Kevyn Green hit the second of two consecutive 3-pointers, but Stefan Welsh iced the game with a pair of free throws.

Green led Southeastern with 21 points while Warrell Span tied a career-high with 20. Patrick Sullivan posted a double-double for the Lions with 12 points and 11 rebounds and added six blocked shots.

Southeastern will return to action on Monday when it hosts Miles College in a 7 p.m. game at the University Center.

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA (0-1)
Green 8-14 1-4 21; Span 9-13 2-7 20; Sullivan 6-13 0-1 12; Tibbs 4-6 3-5 11; Dunbar 3-5 0-0 8; Fortenberry 2-7 3-5 7; Cyprian 2-5 0-0 4; Patterson 0-4 4-4 4; Ndoumba 0-0 0-0 0; Pope 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 34-69 13-26 87.

ARKANSAS (1-0)
Washington 10-16 9-16 30; Fortson 6-15 6-13 18; Clarke 6-11 0-0 17; Welsh 2-9 5-6 9; McDonald 3-8 1-3 7; Britt 1-3 2-2 5; Sanchez 2-6 1-2 5; Clark 0-1 0-0 0; Cox 0-0 0-0 0; Moore 0-0 0-0 0; Henry 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 30-70 24-42 91.
Halftime – SLU 38, Arkansas 36. End of Regulation – SLU 77, Arkansas 77. 3-point goals – SLU 6-14 (Green 4-6; Dunbar 2-3; Fortenberry 0-3; Cyprian 0-2), Arkansas 7-17 (Clarke 5-8; Britt 1-1; Washington 1-2; Henry 0-1; Welsh 0-3; Fortson 0-2). Fouled out – Cyprian, Sanchez. Rebounds – SLU 45 (Sullivan 11), Arkansas 49 (Washington 14). Assists – SLU 16 (Patterson 5), Arkansas 12 (Fortson 7). Technical fouls – None. Total fouls – SLU 28, Arkansas 21. A – 13,200.