How did Davonte Davis play in his return to the Arkansas basketball program?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Davonte Davis roller-coaster was epitomized as Arkansas basketball knocked off Georgia 78-75 Saturday evening.

Davis, who missed three games after stepping away from the program prior to a loss to Kentucky on Jan. 27, returned to the Bud Walton Arena floor and had an overall positive impact in the Razorbacks' (12-11, 3-7 SEC) victory over the Bulldogs (14-10, 4-7). He scored 4 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out 3 assists and was plus-8 in 35 minutes.

Here's a closer look at Davis' performance.

Devo provides a closing moment of magic for Arkansas basketball

Georgia erased a 10-point deficit in the second half and held a few leads in the closing stages, but the game was tied 72-72 when the Arkansas PA announcer alerted the crowd that there was one minute remaining.

Six seconds later, Davis found Makhi Mitchell wide open under the basket for an uncontested layup to give Arkansas a two-point lead. Georgia never led again.

The Bulldogs' 1-3-1 zone collapsed on Davis at the top of the three-point arc, but the senior guard somehow threaded a pass through three opposing defenders and into the hands of Mitchell. It was the type of assist Arkansas has been missing all season, and it played a huge part in the Hogs' third SEC victory of the season.

Late mistakes go unpunished

Arkansas forced an immediate turnover on Georgia's following possession, but the Hogs couldn't capitalize. Instead, they gave Georgia life when Davis turned the ball over near the half-court line. Arkansas clung to a two-point lead.

The Hogs did get a defensive stop, and of course, it was Davis who Georgia intentionally fouled to try and extend the game. Davis stepped to the free-throw line with a chance to make it a two-possession game, but he missed the first attempt. After converting the second, Arkansas led 75-72 with 25 seconds remaining.

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The Razorbacks got another stop and two more free throws from Mitchell to make it 77-72. The game was seemingly over, but Davis committed the cardinal sin by fouling Justin Hill on a three-point attempt. Even with Hill converting all three free throws, there wasn't enough time for Georgia to finish off a miracle rally as the Bulldogs full-court heave at the final buzzer fell short.

Typical Devo defense

Davis guarded basically every single Georgia player Saturday, and he even spent time playing the four-position on defense. He hounded the Bulldogs' guards while battling the big bodies inside.

"He played really hard," Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman said. "He had some big loose balls and, like I said, he’s a guy that understands all four positions on the floor so we’re able to play him at the 4 tonight and our offense, our sets we could still get into them."

A warm reception

Davis was the first sub off the bench Saturday, checking in at the 17:23-mark of the first half and replacing Jeremiah Davenport. Fans inside Bud Walton Arena greeted Davis with cheers', as a few boos were quickly drowned out by overwhelming support.

Fans had to wait seven minutes for his first shot, which was a made three-pointer. It represented Davis' only field-goal attempt of the night.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Davonte Davis makes key pass in Arkansas basketball's win over Georgia