Davis Sparks Arkansas in Win Over Southern

Mike Cawood December 9, 2020

FAYETTEVILLE – Freshman Davonte Davis scored a game-high 14 points with seven rebounds in just 16 minutes of play off the bench to lead Arkansas (5-0) to a 79-44 victory over Southern Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena.

The game was added to the schedule on Monday (Dec. 7) after the Razorbacks’ game at Tulsa (set for Dec. 8) was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols late Saturday (Dec. 5). Southern was set to play top-ranked Gonzaga on Thursday (Dec. 10) but the contest was canceled when Gonzaga paused all team activities due to COVID-19 protocols.

Overall, six Razorbacks scored double figures including 12 each from Jalen Tate, Moses Moody and JD Notae. Desi Sills, who had five assists and no turnovers, and Justin Smith contributed 11 points each. Connor Vanover only scored three points, but the 7-3 redshirt sophomore was once again a force in the middle as he had nine rebounds, three blocked shots and three steals in just 20 minutes of action.

The Razorbacks jumped out to an early 20-7 lead. Arkansas then turned a 23-13 lead into a 40-13 cushion thanks to a 17-0 run, holding the Jaguars scoreless for 6:30, to put the game out of reach.

Southern was led by Jayden Saddler, who scored nine points with six rebounds.

Arkansas’ defense held the Jaguars to just 1-of-13 shooting from 3-point range and Southern shot just 28.6% (18-53) from the field overall. Moody played a big part in the defensive performance. He was assigned to guard preseason All-SWAC selection Asante Shivers, who was 0-of-9 shooting from the field and 0-of-5 from 3-point range.

Arkansas returns to Bud Walton Arena Saturday (Dec. 12) to host Central Arkansas. Tipoff is set for 7:00 pm.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 42 – Southern 20

Arkansas scored the first six points of the game – 3-pointers by Desi Sills and Moses Moody – and raced out to a 20-7 lead at the 12-minute media timeout (11L53).
Arkansas used a 17-0 run, holding Southern scoreless for 6:30 and turning a 23-13 lead into a 40-13 cushion with 3:21 left. JD Notae and Moses Moody each scored four points in the run.
Jalen Tate, JD Notae and Moses Moody each had nine points to lead the Razorbacks.
Connor Vanover had seven rebounds, three blocked shots and three steals in the first 20 minutes.
Arkansas held Southern to 27.3% (9-3) shooting from the field and 12.5% (1-of-8) from 3-point range.

SECOND HALF: Arkansas 37 – Southern 24

Arkansas got off to a slow start in the second half as Southern outscored the Hogs 6-5.
Davis scored 13 of his 14 points in the second half.
Sills had three of his five assists in the second half. He was 2-of-3 from 3-point range in the second half as well.

GAME NOTES

Arkansas’ starting lineup was Jalen Tate (G) – Desi Sills (G) – Moses Moody (G) – Justin Smith (F) – Connor Vanover (F) for the fourth straight game.
Arkansas won the tip and is 5-0 this year when winning the tip.
For the first time this season, someone other than Justin Smith scored the first points of the game. Razorback Desi Sills had the honors, draining a 3-pointer at 19:40.
JD Notae was the first sub for Arkansas.
For the second straight game, Arkansas broke a record for most passes in a game by a Musselman-coached college team. With a goal of 200 passes in a game, Arkansas set the high mark last game versus Lipscomb with 237 only to eclipse that total tonight with 252. Ironically, Arkansas has one less assist tonight (16) than the Lipscomb game (17).
Jalen Tate only needs four points to reach 1,000 for his career. He is 35 rebounds shy of 400 for his career and he now has 302 career assists.
JD Notae needs just 13 points to reach 1,000 for his career.
Justin Smith has a season Plus-Minus of +134 in 135 minutes played
Moses Moody has a season Plus-Minus of +139 in 134 minutes played.
Arkansas has had four or more players score in double figures four times in five games this season. The six tonight was the second-most as Arkansas had eight accomplish the feat in the season opener.

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