Arkansas storms back to evade historic upset bid from Oral Roberts, reach men’s Elite Eight

© Trevor Ruszkowski, USA TODAY Sports Arkansas Razorbacks guard Jalen Tate (11) shoots as Oral Roberts Golden Eagles guard Kareem Thompson (2) defends during the second half in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Arkansas was down by 12 points five minutes into the second half Saturday and was on the verge of being on the wrong side of a historic upset. But much like its previous two NCAA Tournament games, the Razorbacks stormed back for a 72-70 victory to advance to the Elite Eight. 

Devonte Davis made a game-winning basket with four seconds left to secure the victory in the Sweet 16 at Indianapolis, while dispatching the tournament’s Cinderella No. 15 seed that was trying to become the first No. 15 seed to advance to the Elite Eight. 

Arkansas advances to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1995. Oral Roberts star Max Abmas, the leading scorer in the country, missed a potential game-winning three-pointer as time expired. 

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Jalen Tate (22 points) was the hero for Arkansas down the stretch, helping the team take the lead for the first time in the second half off a bucket with a little under five minutes remaining and then scoring several key shots in the final few minutes. The Razorbacks’ offense fed off offensive rebounds for second chance points, while out-rebounding Oral Robers 46-35. Davis added 14 points, while Miles Moody contributed 14.  

Follow college basketball reporter Scott Gleeson on Twitter @ScottMGleeson. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arkansas storms back to evade historic upset bid from Oral Roberts, reach men’s Elite Eight