Hogs upset No. 12 Kentucky in Cal's return

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Arkansas used one of the team’s best shooting performances of the season to upset No. 12 Kentucky 89-79 in Head Coach John Calipari’s return to Rupp Arena on Saturday night.

The Razorbacks made 13 3-pointers – the second-most in a game this season and the most in a road game vs. a ranked opponent since 2019 – to down the Wildcats on an emotional night. The two teams battled back-and-forth throughout the first half with neither team leading by more than six. Karter Knox’s 3-pointer with in the final minute of the half gave the hogs a 46-45 lead at the half.

Arkansas opened the second half with a 12-2 run to take a commanding lead that the Hogs never gave up, leading the rest of the game. Kentucky cut the deficit to six points with just under seven minutes remaining but the Hogs responded with a Zvonimir Ivisic 3-pointer to push the lead back to nine before Nelly Davis pushed the lead back to 11 points when laid one in with 5:54 on the clock.

Five Razorbacks scored in double digits led by Kentucky transfer Adou Thiero’s team-high 21. Thiero added eight rebounds while going 10-for-12 from the free throw line. Fellow Kentucky transfers DJ Wagner (17 points) and Ivisic (14 points) were key in the victory as the former Wildcat trio combined for 52 points in their return to Rupp Arena. Davis matched his season-best with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting while Karter Knox chipped in 10 points. Arkansas shot 55.2% (32-58) from the field for the game, including 64.0% (16-25) in the second half.

Amari Williams led all scorers with 22 points for the Wildcats with former Razorback Jaxson Robinson adding 20 for Kentucky.

Arkansas returns to actions on Wednesday night at Texas with tipoff set for 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

Check back later for a full recap.