Arkansas Holds On to Beat Texas

AUSTIN, Texas –  Arkansas used a 15-0 run from the end of the first half (2:21) to the start of the second half (15:25) to tun a six-point lead into a 21-point cushion (45-24). However, the Longhorns made a serious run late in the second half only the Razorbacks made some key plays down the stretch to win 78-70.

After Arkansas built that 21-point lead, Texas went on a 12-0 run to make the score 58-49 in the Hogs’ favor. Adou Thiero ended the spurt with a dunk. Later, Texas got to within eight before Johnell Davis hit a 3-pointer with 3:20 left, the first of several big plays down the stretch.

The Longhorns worked its deficit to six (67-61) after two free throws with 1:27 left. Karter Knox immediately answered with two from the stripe for Arkansas. Julian Pope responded with a 3-pointer to make it a five-point game with 51 seconds remaining.

Davis was immediately fouled and he sank both free throws. Arkansas got a stop and was fouled. Arkansas missed its free throws but Davis came through with a steal with 30 seconds left on the clock. D.J. Wagner was fouled and made both to put the game out of reach.

Billy Richmond III sealed the win with a blocked shot with 23 ticks remaining. Later, Richmond hit two free throws with eight seconds left to provide the 78-70 final.

Davis played well for the third-straight game as he scored a season-high 24 points with four steals. Zvonimir Ivisic had a career-high 12 rebounds while adding four blocked shots. Thiero, who was playing with an illness, finished with 14 points with all four of his field goals (4-of-5) being dunks. Wagner had 13 points.

Tre Johnson led the Longhorns with 25 points.

Arkansas returns home to host #3 Alabama on Saturday (Feb. 8). As a reminder, gametime has been moved back 30 minutes to a 7:30 pm (CT) start.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas: 35 – Texas: 24

• Texas won the tip and scored first. However, with the score tied at 6-6, Arkansas went on a 6-0 run and held the lead the rest of the first half.
• The Razorbacks took their largest lead of 13 (30-17) after a Johnell Davis layup.
• Texas answered with a 7-0 run to cut its deficit to six (30-24).
• From that point, Arkansas lived at the line, specifically Adou Thiero going 5-of-10. While Arkansas did not make a field goal over the final 3:42, it pushed the lead to 35-24 thanks to its free throws. On the other end, Texas did not score over the final 2:32 of the first half.
• D.J. Wagner led Arkansas with nine first-half points. Johnell Davis added eight and Adou Thiero seven.
• Arkansas out-rebounded Texas 18-15.
• The Hogs had seven assists on 10 made baskets.

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