LSU 67, Arkansas 63

Saturday, February 16th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ Torris Bright hit a 3 for a tie and a layup for the lead and Jermaine Williams added five free throws in the final 30 seconds as LSU beat Arkansas 67-63 on Saturday.

Ronald Dupree kept the Tigers (14-11, 4-8) close in the first half with 26 points on 11-of-15 from the field.

Plagued by poor shooting for three weeks, Arkansas' (12-12, 4-8) only field goal during the final 8:29 was a 3 by Jannero Pargo for a 60-55 lead with 2:36 to play. Brad Bridgewater scored from the baseline and Dupree partially blocked Pargo's shot before Bright tied it from long range.

Teddy Gipson lost the ball on a drive and Bright's layup gave the Tigers the lead with 1:09 to play. J.J. Sullinger missed and Matt Jones twice missed tips before Williams' free throws made it 64-60 with 30 seconds to play. Inexplicably, Dupree fouled Brandon Dean on a 3 from corner and he was good three times to cut it 64-63. Dean led Arkansas with 15.

Williams made one free throw for a two-point lead and Pargo was off on a hurry-up 3 with about a dozen seconds to play. Williams added two more free throws with 10 seconds left.

Despite Dupree, who finished with 30, Arkansas led most of the first half and was up six early in the second half. Bright's two free throws tied it at 44 _ the first tie since 6-6.

On defense, Dupree yelped at Carl Baker in the corner, but Baker got to the basket and put Arkansas ahead 50-48. From the same corner, Gipson drove for a left-handed scoop. After an easy interception in the backcourt, Arkansas got the ball to Pargo who found Gipson moving down the lane for a stuff and 54-48. Williams missed a breakaway dunk and put both hands over his face before Larry Satchell extended Arkansas' lead to seven.