Arkansas Cruises Past Alcorn State in Season Opener

November 6, 2023

FAYETTEVILLE – Khalif Battle led all scorers with 21 points off the bench to lead #14 Arkansas to a 93-59 season-opening victory over Alcorn State Monday night at Bud Walton Arena.

Tramon Mark added 16 points while Trevon Brazile pumped in 13. Brazile and Battle led the team with a +23. Other key contributors included Jalen Graham (eight points and eight rebounds) and Davonte Davis (five points, five rebounds and five assists with zero turnovers and a +21).

The Razorbacks led, 46-22, at halftime and out-scored the Braves by 10 in the second half to secure the win.

Arkansas had 20 assists on 28 made baskets and snagged 14 rebounds while out-rebounding Alcorn, 44-26 for the game.

Jeremiah Gambrell led Alcorn with 17 points (nine in the second half) and Byron Joshua had 12 points (10 in the second half).

Arkansas continues its homestand on Friday (Nov. 10) versus Gardner-Webb. Tipoff at Bud Walton Arena is set for 7 pm and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network Plus.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 46 – Alcorn State 22

Arkansas had 13 assists on 16 made baskets. Devo Davis had four assists to lead the Hogs.
Tramon Mark led the Razorbacks with 13 points, making 3-of-5 from 3-point range.
Khalif Battle added 12 points off the bench, making -2of-5 from 3-point range, and Trevon Brazile had nine points thanks to three dunks.
Brazile had a thunderous dunk to start the game and the Razorbacks held the lead the entire first half.
Arkansas held the Braves to 37 percent shooting from the floor and just 1-of-4 from 3-point range.

SECOND HALF: Arkansas 47 – Alcorn State 37

Arkansas had seven assists on 12 made baskets but the Hogs only shot 44.4% from the field.
After struggling from the free throw line in the first half, Arkansas was 17-of-22 from the line.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Arkansas starters were El Ellis, Davonte Davis, Tramon Mark, Trevon Brazile and Chandler Lawson.
Arkansas controlled the tip to start the game.
Trevon Brazile scored the game’s first points on a dunk at 19:41.
Makhi Mitchell was the first Razorback sub.
Arkansas is 82-19 all-time in season openers and 91-10 in home openers. Arkansas has won 48 of the last 50 season openers dating back to 1974-75.
Arkansas has won 50 consecutive home openers since 1974-75 and are a perfect 31-0 in Bud Walton Arena for home openers.
Eric Musselman is 9-0 all-time as a collegiate head coach in both season and home openers.
Arkansas is 6-0 all-time versus Alcorn State
Arkansas finished with seven dunks.

1H | 19:41 | Arkansas 2 – Alcorn State 0

Trevon Brazile gets us started the only way he can, with a slam.

1H | 14:11 | Arkansas 15 – Alcorn State 8

Tramon Mark hits Arkansas’ first three of the season. The Hogs have made five straight field goals.

1H | 13:16 | Arkansas 17 – Alcorn State 10

Another one for Trevon! He has three dunks in the first seven minutes.

1H | 10:34 | Arkansas 23 – Alcorn State 10

Blocker to Battle for another dunk, this time an and one. Battle makes the free throw.

1H | 8:05 | Arkansas 27 – Alcorn State 13

Battle hits the Hogs’ second three of the night! He leads the team with eight points.

1H | 4:31 | Arkansas 37 – Alcorn State 17

Trevon from beyond the arc! He has nine points and pushes Arkansas’ lead to 20.

Hogs lead, 46-22, at halftime.

2H | 16:11 | Arkansas 56 – Alcorn State 33

Mark is 4-6 from three! He leads all scorers with 16 points.

2H | 8:05 | Arkansas 74 – Alcorn State 41

Another dunk for the Hogs, this time from Jalen Graham. He’s up to 8 points as we hit the under-8 media timeout.

2H | 4:37 | Arkansas 83 – Alcorn State 54

Jeremiah Davenport becomes the sixth Hog to make a three tonight!