No. 21 Arkansas beats Georgia 60-49 in SEC semifinal

Arkansas guard Rashad Madden (00) runs into the defense of Georgia forward Marcus Thornton, right and Georgia forward/center Yante Maten (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Nashville. Arkansas guard Rashad Madden (00) runs into the defense of Georgia forward Marcus Thornton, right and Georgia forward/center Yante Maten (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Nashville.

By Associated Press March 15, 2015 3 min read

NASHVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks came to Music City wanting to win a Southeastern Conference Tournament championship, and now they have their chance.

They just have to go through top-ranked and undefeated Kentucky.

“There’s been a tremendous history with Arkansas and Kentucky, and of course they’re playing at another level right now,” Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said about Kentucky. “So we look forward to the opportunity. We look forward to the challenge. We’re just going to go and be who we are.”

The 21st-ranked Razorbacks advanced by beating third-seeded Georgia 60-49 on Saturday in the semifinals. This will be the sixth appearance in the championship game for second-seeded Arkansas (26-7) and first since 2008. Arkansas has only one SEC tournament title, and that was back in 2000.

“That will be a great accomplishment for the state and this team,” said Arkansas guard Michael Qualls, who scored a team-high 15 points.