Arkansas Holds On to Beat Texas

February 5, 2025

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 turn 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.

SECOND HALF: Arkansas: 43 – Texas: 46

Arkansas opened the second half with an 8-0 run to force a Texas timeout. Davis hit back-to-back 3’s in the run. The run extended to 10-0 after a pair of free throws by Davis. Texas ended its drought with a Julian Larry 3-pointer at 15:25.
Arkansas answered with a dunk and 3-pointer by Zvonimir Ivisic.
Davis scored 16 of his 24 points in the second half, going 4-of-9 from the field (4-of-7 from 3PT) and making all four of his free throws.
Arkansas was out-rebounded 26-18 in the second half as Texas grabbed 11 offensive rebounds.

GAME NOTES:

For the second-straight game, and second time this season, Arkansas’ starting lineup was D.J. Wagner, Johnell Davis, Karter Knox, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic.
Texas won the opening tip. It was just the fifth time the opponents have won the tip this season.
Texas’ Jordan Pope scored the game’s first points at 19:03. D.J. Wagner answered with a layup at 18:47.
Trevon Brazile was Arkansas’ first sub.
Overall, Arkansas and Texas have met on 156 previous occasions. The only other program the Hogs have played more is Texas A&M at 169 meetings thanks to the Aggies joining the SEC for the 2012-13 season (12 years).
Arkansas leads the all-time series versus Texas, 88-68, but the Longhorns lead 43-28 in games played in Austin.
Arkansas has won 33 of the last 48 dating back to the 1974-75 season.
Including tonight, the programs have only met seven times since Arkansas left the Southwest Conference after the 1990-91 season.
Technically, this is the first time Arkansas and Texas have met on the hardwood since the 2018-19 season opener when the programs faced off in the ESPN Armed Forces Classic in El Paso. However the teams did meet on Oct. 29, 2022, in a charity exhibition to play the first public event in the short history of the Moody Center. Arkansas was preseason #10 and Texas was preseason #12 heading into that exhibition game. Texas won that exhibition, 90-60.
In the first half, Arkansas was only whistled for five fouls, compared to 11 by Texas, and Arkansas was 13-of-18 at the line, compared to Texas being 2-of-3. In the second half, Arkansas was called for 18 fouls, compared to 13 by Texas, and the Razorbacks were 14-of-17 at the line, compared to Texas going 18-of-24.
In the last five games, Arkansas opponents are 9-of-41 (21.9%) from 3PT in the 2nd Half.
Arkansas blocked seven shots at Texas. The Razorbacks had only blocked seven shots in the previous three games combined. However, Arkansas still entered the game 7th in the NCAA in blocked shots (5.6 avg.). It marked the 13 time in 22 games Arkansas has blocked at least five shots in a game.
In the last three games, Davis has scored 18 points, 18 points and 24 points while coming away with four steals, two steals and four steals. Davis is 10-of-25 (40%) from 3-point range.
Over the last four games, Davis has 13 steals. In his first 16 games, he only had 10 steals.
Zvonimir Ivisic had a career-high 12 rebounds. His previous high was 10 at Missouri earlier this year. His four blocked shots tied an SEC career high.

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