DALLAS — Bucknell players and coaches talked all week about coming to Dallas to play two games, an indication of how serious they were about pulling off another first-round upset in the NCAA tournament.

Still, just to be safe, the Bison did their sightseeing on Thursday.

The precaution wasn't necessary. Bucknell is indeed sticking around for the weekend following a 59-55 victory over Arkansas Friday.

Then again, maybe those brainy kids from the Patriot League were merely being prudent with their scheduling. After all, they could use the extra time Saturday to get ready for their second-round matchup with top-seeded Memphis.

"We expected to beat Arkansas," senior guard Kevin Bettencourt said. "I don't think this is too big of an upset."

The Bison (27-6) won for the 18th time in 19 games, although they never had any like this. They were 11-of-21 on 3-pointers and only 6-of-23 on 2-pointers, with only two inside the arc the entire second half against the Razorbacks' bulky front line.

Bettencourt and Charles Lee led the way, combining for 42 points and nine 3s. The workload might've caught up to them at the end, though, because they missed three straight free throws in the last half-minute, leaving it up to Abe Badmus to seal the victory.

Badmus hadn't taken a shot all game when he stepped to the line with 7.9 seconds left. Saying he relied on muscle memory, Badmus remained calm and made two free throws, providing the cushion needed to send the Patriot League champions into the second round for the second straight year.

"Hey, we held them to 37-percent shooting — that's great defense," Razorbacks coach Stan Heath said. "You can say we didn't defend the 3, but about four were with 1 second, 2 seconds, left on the shot clock, guys on them and they get it off, and it goes in."

Memphis (31-3) advanced by beating Oral Roberts 94-78. The Tigers are the top seed in the Oakland Regional; the Bison are ninth.

Also in Dallas, 10th-seeded North Carolina State upset seventh-seeded Cal 58-52 and second-seeded Texas held off pesky Pennsylvania 60-52 to set up the other game Sunday. The winner advances to the Atlanta Regional.