Tennessee 64, Arkansas 53

<br>KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Marcus Haislip scored 20 points and Thaydeus Holden added 13, including five points in the last 2:10 as Tennessee held on Wednesday night to beat Arkansas 64-53. <br><br>Arkansas

Thursday, February 14th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Marcus Haislip scored 20 points and Thaydeus Holden added 13, including five points in the last 2:10 as Tennessee held on Wednesday night to beat Arkansas 64-53.

Arkansas (12-10, 4-6 Southeastern Conference) lost for the fourth straight time in Knoxville despite a strong defense that held the Volunteers (13-11, 6-5) to just 7-of-21 shooting from the field in the second half.

But it was still enough for Tennessee because the Razorbacks could never put together a long run. Free-throw shooting also helped the Vols, who were 21-of-25 while the Razorbacks were just 4-of-7.

Arkansas cut the lead to six points after reserve Jannero Pargo made three straight baskets. His 3 with 4:24 left got the Razorbacks to within 57-51.

Meanwhile, Tennessee didn't make a field goal for a little over six minutes, but Arkansas couldn't get any closer.

Derek Stribling broke the drought with a driving layup with 2:54 remaining, and Holden hit a 3 to push the lead back to 11. On the next inbounds, Holden got behind Arkansas' press and scored an uncontested dunk with 1:26 left.

Vincent Yarbrough added 14 points for Tennessee, which is above .500 in the conference for the first time since its first league game this season.

Arkansas was led by J.J. Sullinger with 13 points, while Pargo added 10 points and was just 2-of-8 from beyond the arc.

The Vols led most of the game and by as many as 13 points early in the second half, but Arkansas' zone defense stifled their shooting.

Tennessee went ahead 44-31 with 19:17 left but didn't score again until Yarbrough's 3-pointer more than six minutes later. The Vols actually scored in between but only because of a goal-tending charge.

Tennessee led 41-31 at halftime after making all 14 of its free throw tries and shooting 11-of-19 from the field, including five 3-pointers.

The Vols built a 17-7 lead early.

Even though Pargo is one of the best three-point shooters in the SEC at 3.4 averaged a game, Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson decided to not use him in the starting lineup. Richardson changes the starters frequently, and had the team's 20th different lineup against Tennessee.