Tramon Mark's Injury Overshadows Performance in Second Straight Loss

Author:
Daniel Shi
Publish date:
Nov 24, 2023 4:36 PM EST

In this story:

NASSAU, Bahamas — Perhaps lost in the shuffle of all the Arkansas transfers that coach Eric Musselman brought in is Tramon Mark. The Houston transfer struggled to find a consistent role with the Cougars, but has become the Razorbacks' most reliable source of offense as the Hogs look to play out an early rut during an 87-72 loss, but that may have come to an end.

Mark turned in an almost perfect first half, accounting for 20 of the Hogs' 38 points in the first half on a perfect 8-for-8 from the field. He finished with a career high 34 and was looking to extend it when things went terribly wrong with just over a minute left.

Mark drove to the basket, but landed hard on his hip after contact he expected never happened. Left motionless, head coach Eric Musselman and the training staff came to his side. Not long afterward, he was placed on a back board and carried out on a stretcher.

On the strength of Mark's super first half, the Arkansas produced its most efficient first half of the season, but the Razorbacks couldn't convert it into a win as the rest of the team finished just 38 points.

After Mark tied the game, 46-46, with yet another jumper, UNC countered with a 19-6 run led by RJ Davis, who didn't have Mark's efficiency, but matched him step-for-step in scoring, finishing with 30. The Hogs' true last gasp came when Mark hit a tough triple and had a shot at a four-point play with 9:55 left, but missed the free throw to convert.

The Razorbacks slowly chipped away from an early 23-11 hole. A fast break three from Mark, the only Hog to make a deep ball in the first half, cut the lead to 27-22.

Musselman said he thought the disastrous end to the first half cost them the semifinal against Memphis. A 15-4 run in the final five minutes of the half punctuated by a Chandler Lawson dunk on the final possession before intermission turned a 31-23 deficit into a 38-35 halftime lead.

The Razorbacks and Tar Heels traded baskets in the early moments of the second half before North Carolina flexed their offensive muscle. Arkansas continued to miss shots from close range and struggled to keep pace. A three by Jeremiah Davenport with three minutes left did nothing but keep the score respectable. To further complicate matters Trevon Brazile picked up a flagrant foul after drawing technicals in the previous two games.

Unfortunately for Arkansas, if it is to get things back on track, it will have to happen against No. 9 Duke 8:15 p.m. Nov. 29 inside Bud Walton Arena. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and fuboTV .