Razorbacks Overcome Slow Start, Beat UCA 100-75

Mike Cawood December 12, 2020

FAYETTEVILLE – Jalen Tate and JD Notae each scored their 1,000th career points to lead Arkansas to a 100-75 victory over Central Arkansas Saturday night at Bud Walton Arena.

This was the first meeting between Arkansas and Central Arkansas since the 1946-47 season. The Razorbacks are now 7-0 all-time versus the Bears, including a 4-0 record in games played in Fayetteville. The series dates back to Arkansas’ first season of basketball (1923-24). Prior to tonight’s game, the last time Arkansas hosted an in-state school for a regular-season game was Nov. 28, 1950, versus Arkansas Tech. (Razorbacks won 50-45)

Tate, a graduate transfer from Northern Kentucky, also tallied his third career double-double, getting 17 points and a career-high 11 assists. Notae, who played his first two seasons at Jacksonville University prior to sitting out at Arkansas due to NCAA transfer rules, finished with a game-high 22 points – 17 coming in the second half – with six assists.

UCA led for the first 11:20 of the game, but Tate hit a 3-pointer and gave Arkansas its first lead (26-25) with 7:43 left in the first half. While the Bears tied the game at 28-28, Moses Moody hit a layup with 6L33 left and the Razorbacks held the lead the rest of the way.

Arkansas was down 10 (22-12) with 11:35 left in the first half before going on a 20-3 run. The Hogs started the run with a 12-0 run and, after a UCA 3-pointer, capped the spurt with an 8-0 run. Overall, Arkansas made straight during the span and was 7-of-8 overall from the field during the stretch that covered 4:05.

For the fifth time in six games, at least five Razorbacks scored in double figures. Joining Notae and Tate were Desi Sills (17), Moody (15) and Justin Smith (12), Connor Vanover just missed a double-double, pulling down 10 rebounds with nine points. Moody added seven rebounds and three assists.

UCA was paced by Deandre Jones and Rylan Bergerson, each scoring 13. Jared Chatman registered a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. SK Shittu added 11 points.

Arkansas will not play a midweek contest this week due to final exams. The Razorbacks return to the court next Sunday (Dec. 20) to host Oral Roberts. Tipoff is set for 1:00 pm and the game will be telecast on SEC Network.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 41 – Southern 35

UCA scored the first six points of the game. Jalen Tate got Arkansas on the board first with a 3-pointer at 17:02.
UCA got off to a hot start, leading 19-12 with 12 minutes to go and shooting 64.3 percent from the field.
Arkansas took its first lead at 7:43 (26-25) on a Jalen Tate 3-pointer. UCA tied the game at 28-28 but never regained the lead the rest of the period.
Arkansas heated up on a 7-0 run to get to within two (25-23) and force a UCA time out at 8:16.
Arkansas used a 12-0 run and an 8-0 run as part of a 20-3 run – making 8-of-9 from the field – over 5:35 to take a 36-28 lead at the 4-minute timeout (3:54).
Arkansas led by as many as 10 (38-28).
UCA ended the half strongly and trailed by six at the break.
Desi Sills and Jalen Tate each scored 10 points to lead the Razorbacks in the first half.
There were just nine total fouls called and just two free throws attempted as Desi Sills was 1-of-2 at the line.
For the first time this season, Arkansas was outrebounded in the first half, 20-16.

SECOND HALF: Arkansas 59 – Southern 40

Arkansas pushed its halftime lead from six to 14 (51-37) at the 17:10 mark.
UCA got to within six (64-58) at the 9:50 mark. Moses Moody went on a 5-0 run but UCA cut it to single digits (69-60) with 8:29 left to play.
Desi Sills answered with an old-fashion 3-point play and the Razorbacks led by double digits the rest of the way. Sills started a 16-4 run to put Arkansas up 23 with 3:48 to go.
Notae made two free throws with 14 seconds left in the game to provide the 100-75 final score.
Arkansas shot 60.5% from the field in the second half and held UCA to 38.2%.
Arkansas scored at least 50 in a half for the third time this season, getting 59 tonight. Arkansas scored 61 in the first half versus Mississippi Valley State and 81 in the second half of that contest.

GAME NOTES

Arkansas’ starting lineup was Jalen Tate (G) – Desi Sills (G) – Moses Moody (G) – Justin Smith (F) – Connor Vanover (F) for the fifth straight game.
Arkansas won the tip and is 6-0 this year when winning the tip.
For the first time this season, Arkansas did not score on the opening possession of the game. Central Arkansas’ Samson George scored the game’s first points at 19:03.
Jalen Tate scored Arkansas’ first points, a 3-pointer from the right corner at 17:02.
JD Notae was the first sub for Arkansas.
This was the first meeting between Arkansas and Central Arkansas since the 1946-47 season. The Razorbacks are 7-0 all-time versus the Bears, including a 4-0 record in games played in Fayetteville. The series dates back to Arkansas’ first season of basketball (1923-24).
Prior to tonight’s game, the Last Time…
^ Arkansas hosted an in-state school for a regular-season game was Nov. 28, 1950 versus Arkansas Tech. (Razorbacks won 50-45)
^ Arkansas hosted an in-state school overall was Mar. 13, 1987 versus Arkansas State in the first round of the NIT. (Razorbacks won 67-64)

NOTE: Arkansas did host UALR last season in an exhibition game as Razorback All-American Darrell Walker brought his squad to play the first contest on Nolan Richardson Court. (Arkansas won 79-64)

Jalen Tate scored his 1,000th career point at 14:57, a layup to give him 1,001. He now has 1,013. He is 31 rebounds shy of 400 and now has 313 career assists.
With a 3-pointer at 5:09, JD Notae scored his 1,000th career point. Notae now has 1,009 career points.
^Notae has scored in double figures in 52 of his 66 career games, has led his team in scoring 32 times and has scored 20-plus 16 times.
Justin Smith is up next as he now needs 105 points for 1,000.

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