Meeks’ record falls at Arkansas

Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke’s 51-point performance Friday night broke several records, including Jodie Meeks’ record for points in Bud Walton Arena. Meeks led Kentucky to a victory at Arkansas last season by scoring an arena record of 45 points.
Clarke set an Arkansas record for points and the school and SEC records for three-point baskets in a game wiht 13.
“He threw us on his back tonight and just had an unbelievable performance,” Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey said after the game. “I haven’t seen a better shooting performance than that. That was really, really remarkable.”
Also noteworthy was the attendance. Only 7,713 attended.
“I had no idea about the records,” Clarke said. “It was just fun being able to get a win.
“To be honest with you, I don’t even care about any records that I broke. It was just being able to come out here and play well as a team and seeing guys’ unselfishness, celebrating with me.”
Clarke’s performance lifted a basketball program that has endured a tumultuous off-season that included five players being suspended to start this season. Foot injuries sidelined a sixth player, forward Michael Sanchez.
Then All-SEC senior forward Michael Washington went to the bench 36 seconds into the game after picking up two fouls.
Clarke made his first seven three-point shots to spark a one-sided victory.
“Phenomenal, that’s unbelievable,” Pelphrey said of Clarke’s game. “But in a way, I’m not surprised, because we see him shoot so much, work so hard, understand the type of human being he is.
“He’s capable of making shots like that if he gets them.”