#23 Arkansas Dominates Oakland in Second Half for 92-62 Win

December 30, 2024

FAYETTEVILLE – Thanks to 23 second-half points from Boogie Fland, #23 Arkansas turned a three-point halftime lead into a 30-point win, 92-62, over Oakland Monday night at Bud Walton Arena. The game was the Razorbacks’ final non-conference game of the 2024-25 season.

Fland drilled three 3-pointers during a 12-2 run, including a 9-0 spurt, for an 81-58 lead to put the game out of reach with 3:35 left in the game. Overall, Fland, who only scored one point in the first half, was 9-of-10 from the field in the period, making all five of his 3-pointers in the half. Fland, who leads all NCAA freshmen in assists, handed out six versus Oakland with zero turnovers. (Note: Entering the game, Fland ranked third among NCAA freshmen in assist-to-turnover ratio.)

Arkansas shot an impressive 63.3 percent from the field while holding the Golden Grizzlies to 25.8% shooting. Trevon Brazile played a key role in the defensive effort by tying his career high of six blocked shots, all in the in the second half. Also, Arkansas only committed four second-half turnovers after having nine in the first half. In fact, Arkansas did not commit its first second-half turnover until the 8:58 mark of the second half.

In addition to tying his career high in blocked shots, Brazile narrowly missed a double-double for the second-straight game with nine points and eight rebounds.

While Fland sparked the second-half, it was Adou Thiero who led the Razorbacks in the first half. He scored 16 of his 20 points in the period. He added six rebounds, a career-high six assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

Karter Knox finished with 17 points, tying his career best with three 3-pointers made. Billy Richmond III scored eight points while handing out a career-high four assists.

Up next, Arkansas opens SEC play with a trip to #1 Tennessee on Jan. 4 (Saturday). Tipoff is set for 1 pm (ET)/Noon (CT) and the game will be televised by ESPN.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 42 – Oakland: 39

The half featured seven ties and seven lead changes. However, Oakland only led for 1:35 in the period.
Arkansas shot 57.1% but committed nine turnovers. Oakland shot 55.2%.
Adou Thiero led Arkansas with 16 first-half points and two steals. He also tied for the team lead with three rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot.
Karter Knox added 10 points, going 2-of-2 from 3-point range.
Tuburu Naivalurua and Allen David Mukeba each scored 12 points for Oakland.

SECOND HALF: Arkansas 50 – Oakland: 23

Arkansas scored 50 points in a half for the third time this season. It was the first time to do so in the second half.
Arkansas had 12 assists on 19 second-half baskets made.
Arkansas blocked eight of its 10 shots in the second half.
The 23 points by Oakland was the third-fewest by an opponent this season. UMES scored 20 and Troy scored 22.
Oakland was 1-of-12 from 3-point range in the period. Arkansas by contrast was 7-of-13.

GAME NOTES:

For the second straight game, Arkansas’ starting lineup was Boogie Fland, D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox, Adou Thiero and Jonas Aidoo.
Arkansas won the opening tip. The Razorbacks have won the tip in 12 of 13 games.
Oakland’s Allen David Mukeba scored the game’s first points with a layup at 19:08. Jonas Aidoo scored Arkansas’ first points with a dunk at 18:56.
Trevon Brazile was Arkansas’ first sub.
For the second straight game, Arkansas played without Johnell Davis. The Razorbacks have had at least one player miss all 12 games this season due to injury or illness.
Jonas Aidoo only played 15:37 due to illness.
Boogie Fland has dished out at least five assists in six straight games. Since 1991-92 (as far back as complete records go), Fland is tied for sixth for most consecutive games with 5-plus assists. Six Hogs have dished out at least five assists in six-straight games. The last Hog to accomplish it was Jalen Harris early in the 2018-19 season. Next on the list is Kareem Reid with seven-straight games. The top four are Jabril Durham (19 straight), Corey Beck (12 straight), Kareem Reid (11 straight) and Courtney Fortson (10 straight). (HogStats.com)
Arkansas is 3-0 all-time versus Oakland and head coach John Calipari improves to 2-1 versus the Grizzlies.

For more information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X.