Arkansas 71, Oral Roberts 57

<br>FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ With Jannero Pargo nearby waiting to check in, Brandon Dean jumped up and hit a 16-footer. <br><br>Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson called Pargo back to the bench and Dean

Monday, November 19th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ With Jannero Pargo nearby waiting to check in, Brandon Dean jumped up and hit a 16-footer.

Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson called Pargo back to the bench and Dean went on a mini-spree that helped the Razorbacks beat Oral Roberts University 71-57 on Sunday.

``I saw the energy come to his face,'' Richardson said. ``Dean lives and dies by his jump shot. When he hits it, the energy comes out, and he is a totally different player. He finally showed what he can do. He's got to come on for us.''

In his first start, freshman J.J. Sullinger led the Razorbacks in scoring with 16 and assists with six. He also had six rebounds and three steals in 28 minutes.

``J.J. is like a Joe Johnson, he doesn't have to take a jump shot to score,'' Richardson said. ``He can find people in traffic and he can rebound. He showed brilliance as a freshman. That's why I started him. I don't believe just because you are a senior, you automatically have a job.''

Pargo _ the Razorbacks' most reliable scorer _ was prepared to replace Dean when Dean's jumper made it 53-48. ORU coach Scott Sutton called it the biggest shot of the game. ``I thought that if we could stay within three points, who knows what would happen,'' Sutton said. ``It was a huge shot.''

Dean made another basket after a quick move down the baseline and then took advantage of a high screen to get a half-step on Tyrone Tiggs for a layup.

When Dean completed the three-point play, Arkansas (2-1) was in front 60-50 _ the first double-digit lead of the game _ with 4:57 remaining.

Sullinger's steal and layup upped the lead to 12 and the Golden Eagles (0-2) never got closer than nine the rest of the way.

Sullinger sparked a fast start by the Razorbacks.

He fed Larry Satchell for a layup before Dionisio Gomez stole a pass and got the ball to Pargo, who whipped it ahead to Teddy Gipson for a layup. Sullinger made a free throw and then swiped a pass that led to a 12-foot jumper by Pargo. Sullinger grabbed a rebound, penetrated the defense and dished to Gomez for a layup and a 9-2 lead.

ORU closed to 14-13 on back-to-back 3s by Matt Frazier and Markius Barnes. Satchell made a leaping interception and got the ball to Gomez, who fed Sullinger for a slam. Gomez then made a layup after Sullinger's look-away pass and Sullinger followed with a 3. Pargo threaded a pass to an on-the-move Gomez for another layup and 21-13.

At that point, Arkansas was 9-of-12 and had attempted only two 3-pointers. During its first two games, Arkansas attempted 50 3-pointers and made 13.

Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson stayed with his starters until the 10-minute mark, and the Razorbacks' efficiency dropped off when they sat down.

After Michael Jones mishandled the ball, Matt Frazier was good from the deep corner. The 6-foot-9 Jones then missed from outside and Richie Myers was wide open on the baseline for a 14-footer that cut it to 28-26.

ORU had a chance to tie, but Dean broke up an ally-oop pass and T.J. Cleveland made two free throws for 30-26. After a timeout, Tiggs beat Pargo down court for an 80-foot pass and a layup that cut it to 33-32 at the half.