Razorback Defense and Strong 2nd Half Lifts Hogs Past Fresno State at North Little Rock

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas opened the second half with a 22-6 run and turned a 10-point halftime lead into an insurmountable 26-point deficit as the #25 Razorbacks cruised to an 82-58 victory over Fresno State Saturday afternoon at Simmons Bank Arena.

Darius Acuff Jr. led the Hogs with 18 points – 11 in the second half – while adding eight assists with just one turnover. Karter Knox also had a strong second half, scoring nine of his 11 points in the period.

During the 22-6 run, Knox drained two 3-pointers coming out of halftime, dished out two assists and added a banked 3-pointer. Acuff scored eight points – making two 3-pointers – with an assist and a steal.

After struggling from deep in the first half, Arkansas made 8-of-18 from 3-point range in the second half. Also, Arkansas had just seven assists in the first half but had 10 in the second half with just three turnovers.

D.J. Wagner and Meleek Thomas each added 12 points while Nick Pringle had seven boards and Trevon Brazile tied his career-high with four steals.

Fresno State’s Wilson Jacques recorded a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. However, he had just two boards in the second half. Jac Mani also had 12 points.

Up next, Arkansas travels to Dallas to face #19 Texas Tech in the RevoCruit Rematch – pitting the two programs that met in last year’s Sweet 16. Tipoff in American Airlines Center is set for 11 am and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

FIRST HALF: ARK: 34 – FRESNO: 24

• Both teams got off to a sluggish start with the score being 5-2 at the first media timeout. The teams were a combined 3-of-14 from the field, including Fresno State going 1-of-8 to start.
• However, Arkansas went on a 7-0 run to lead 12-2 and kept the lead the rest of the half.
• Arkansas made its last two 2-pointers – both by D.J. Wagner – but was just 3-of-12 from deep for the half.
• The Bulldogs hit a 3-pointer as the halftime buzzer sounded but were just 2-of-12 from deep for the half.
• Meleek Thomas led Arkansas with nine points and Trevon Brazile had four steals – tying his career high.
• Jac Mani led Fresno State with seven points while Wilson Jacques grabbed 12 first-half rebounds – nine on the defensive end.

SECOND HALF: ARK: 48 – FRESNO: 34

• Arkansas opened the second half with a 10-0 run, thanks to a pair of Karter Knox 3-pointers. Then pushed the spurt to 22-6, forcing a Fresno State timeout with 15:22 left. Arkansas only has seven assists in the first half but dished out five in the first five minutes of the second half.
• Fresno State had its best run of 8-0 late in the second half to get to within 18 (74-56). Arkansas then out-scored the Bulldogs, 8-2, the rest of the way for the 82-58 win.
• Arkansas was out-rebounded for the game, but out-rebounded Fresno State, 22-19, in the second half.

NOTES:

• Arkansas’ starting lineup was Darius Acuff Jr., D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle.
• Trevon Brazile scored the game’s first points with a free throw at 18:02.
• Arkansas’s first sub was Malique Ewin.
• Arkansas held the Bulldogs to 15.4% shooting from 3-point range. It was the fourth time the Hogs held its opponent below 22% shooting from deep this season.
• Arkansas improved to 3-0 all-time versus Fresno State.
• Arkansas improved to 16-10 all-time in Simmons Bank Arena and 20-10 all-time when playing in North Little Rock. Since the facility opened for the 1999-2000 season, Arkansas has played in Simmons Bank Arena 22 of the last 24 years.
• Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff Jr. are the only Hogs to score in double figures in all nine games. Thomas is the only Hog to make a 3-pointer in all nine.
• D.J. Wagner missed his first four 3-point attempts but was 2-of-3 from deep to finish the game.
• Head Coach John Calipari earned his 884th career victory, making him 16 shy of 900 for his career.

For more­­ information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X, Instagram and Facebook.