Razorbacks Stunned

Top 25 basketball

Nolan Richardson insisted for two weeks his Arkansas team was not as good as its ranking.

But this? Neither Richardson, nor anyone else, was prepared for this kind of jolt.

In the biggest upset in college basketball this season, Division II American-Puerto Rico (6-6) defeated No. 12 Arkansas (8-1) 64-59 on Wednesday in the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic in San Juan.

“It was a terrible performance by our team,” Richardson said. “Our execution was terrible. I can’t ever remember losing to a Division II school.”

The upset was reminiscent of a 1982 Christmas tournament in Hawaii when a No. 1 Virginia team led by Ralph Sampson was beaten by tiny Chaminade of the NAIA.

“I figured we had a 1 percent chance of winning,” American coach Pep Claros said. “But you play five-on-five for 40 minutes and you never know what might happen.”

American is a branch of American University in Washington. Its only previous victory of note this season was an 11-point win over Alabama.

American’s Angel Sanchez likened the victory to an early Christmas present.

“I was dreaming of this game since before the season began,” he said.

Added point guard Orlando Santiago: “It’s the biggest win of my life.”

(19) Syracuse 67, Saint Louis 64

Also at the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic, Todd Burgan made three free throws in the final 22 seconds as the Orangemen (10-0) held off the Billikens (8-2).

Burgan led Syracuse with 21 points. Ryan Blackwell added 18 for the Orangemen and Etan Thomas had 12.

Freshman Larry Hughes led Saint Louis with 21 points, but made only 7 of 13 free throws. The Billikens were 14 of 26 from the foul line, while Syracuse was 22 of 30.

Syracuse led 64-58 before Saint Louis rallied one final time.

(25) TCU 93, Iowa State 54

In another Puerto Rico Holiday Classic game, Mike Jones scored 22 points to lead five double-figure scorers as the Horned Frogs (10-1) beat the Cyclones (5-5).

TCU led 34-13 midway through the first half and 55-25 at halftime.

Jones made nine of 14 shots, including 3 of 7 from 3-point range. Lee Mailon scored 18 for the Horned Frogs, Dennis Davis and Renny James each had 14 and Malcolm Johnson added 11.

Iowa State was led by Klay Edwards, who scored 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting.