8 Razorbacks Score Double Figures in Convincing Season-Opening Win

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas opened its 98th season of men’s basketball with a 142-62 victory versus Mississippi Valley State Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena.

Arkansas went a 28-0 run in the first half and held the Delta Devils scoreless for the first 2:57 of the first half to put the game away. Arkansas also out-rebounded MVSU, 58-33.

The win was the second-best night for scoring in Arkansas history.

  • The 142 points were the second-most points ever scored by the Razorbacks while the 82 second-half points were also the second-most scored by the Hogs in a half. (Both records for most points came versus U.S. International in a 166-101 victory on 12/9/89. Arkansas scored 88 second-half points in that win.)
  • The 80-point win is the second-largest margin of victory in school history. (The record is 82 points in a 128-46 win over Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 4, 1991.
  • Arkansas drained 20-of-40 from 3-point range and was one triple shy of the school record of 21. (School record was set versus Troy by making 21-of-37 on Dec. 10, 1996.)

Connor Vanover led eight Arkansas players that reached double-digits with 23. The redshirt sophomore made 4-of-5 from 3-point range, while adding three blocked shots and eight rebounds. Vance Jackson Jr., who also made four 3’s, finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. The graduate senior transfer scored his 1,000th career point, now with 1,005.

Others reaching double figures were Desi Sills (19), Moses Moody (16), Khalen Robinson (15), Justin Smith (13), JD Notae (13) and Jalen Tate (12). Jaylin Williams just missed a double-double, grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds with nine points.

Arkansas will return to Bud Walton Arena on Saturday (Nov. 28) to host North Texas. Tipoff is set for 5:00 pm ad will be broadcast on the SEC Network Plus.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 61 – MSVU 30

  • Arkansas scored the first points of the game – a Justin Smith bucket in the paint. Mississippi Valley answered with a 3-pointer. Thanks to a pair of steals by Moses Moody, Arkansas led 10-6 at the first media timeout.
  • Arkansas went on a 28-0 run to lead 41-8. Arkansas made eight 3’s during the run – including four from Vance Jackson Jr.
  • Vance Jackson led all scorers with 12 points.
  • Justin Smith, Khalen Robinson and Connor Vanover each scored 11. Vanover led the Hogs with five boards.
  • Arkansas was 12-of-19 (.632) from the 3-point line in the first half.
  • Arkansas scored 60-plus points in a half for the first time since Dec. 2019 (63 vs FIU in the second half in a 121-89 win).

SECOND HALF: Arkansas 81 – MVSU 32

  • Arkansas shut-out Mississippi Valley State for the first 2:58 to start the second half.
  • Arkansas made 21 of its 26 free throws in the game during the second half, finishing the frame at 21-of-23.
  • Desi Sills led the scoring in the second half with 12 points and Jaylin Williams had seven of his game-high 10 rebounds in the second half.

GAME NOTES

  • This was the 141st time to score at least 100 points. Arkansas is 136-5 in such games. A Musselman college-coached team scored 100-plus for the 10th time and he is 9-1 in such games. Musselman is
  • Arkansas’ starting lineup was Jalen Tate (G) – Desi Sills (G) – Moses Moody (G) – Justin Smith (F) – Vance Jackson Jr. (F).
  • Arkansas won the tip.
  • Justin Smith scored the first points of the game.
  • JD Notae and Jaylin Williams were the first subs for Arkansas.
  • Arkansas is 6-0 all-time versus Mississippi Valley State.
  • Arkansas has won 46 straight home openers, including a 28-0 record in Bud Walton Arena. Overall, Arkansas has won 46 of the last 49 season openers.
  • Eric Musselman is 6-0 as a collegiate head coach n both home and season openers.
  • The 142 points is the most scored by a Musselman coached team in college. It was also the most field goals made by a Musselman college-coached team (48) as well as the field goals attempted (86), most 3-pointers made (20), 3-pointers attempted (40), third-most rebounds (58) and third-most assists (26).
  • The 58 rebounds are the most since Arkansas grabbed 55 versus Utah Valley on Jan. 3, 2015.
  • Vance Jackson made 4-of-his-first-5 3-pointers during a 28-0 Razorback run. His fourth triple came at 7:48 in the first half to give him 1,001 career points. He finished with 15 and now has 1,005 career points.
  • Dating back to last season, Desi Sills has scored double figures in 10 of his last 12 games.
  • Jalen Tate scored 12 points and he is just 38 points shy of 1,000 for his career.

 

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