Razorbacks’ Second Half Surge Sinks #15/16 Missouri

February 22, 2025

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas out-rebounded Missouri, 20-15, in the second half and out-scored Mizzou, 51-37, for a 92-85 victory over the #15/16 Tigers Saturday night at Bud Walton Arena.

On a night Arkansas celebrated its 1990 Final Four team, which averaged 95.2 points per game that season, the Razorbacks had five players score in double figures and scored its most points in an SEC game this season (its fourth-most of the season overall).

Arkansas, down seven at halftime, started the second half on a 14-6 run to grab a 55-54 lead. Mizzou answered to go up three (58-55). Karter Knox triple tied the game at 58 with 13:34 to go. The lead bounced back and forth over the next three minutes, but neither team leading by more than one point over the span.

Zvonimir Ivisic put the Hogs up one, 62-61 with 10:08 to play, on a fastbreak dunk and the Razorbacks held the lead the rest of the game. Then, up 64-63, Arkansas went on a 12-2 run to go up 11 for its largest lead of the game (76-65) with six minutes left.

Missouri would not go away, cutting its deficit to five twice. However, Arkansas went up 10 (85-75) with two minutes left after a pair of D.J. Wagner free throws. The Tigers once again got to within five twice, but Wagner and Ivisic went 3-of-4 at the line down the stretch for the win.

Ivisic went 6-of-8 from the field (with three dunks) and was 7-of-7 at the line to score 20 points. Johnell Davis added 18 points, had four assists and four steals. Wagner, who had 12 second-half points, finished with 17 points with career highs of 8 free throws made and 10 free throw attempts. Knox had 14 points and Adou Thiero finished with 11 points and four assists.

Missouri was led by Mark Mitchell’s 17 points and seven rebounds. Marcus Warrick had 16 points while Caleb Gill had 13.

Up next, Arkansas will host Texas on Wednesday (Feb. 26).

FIRST HALF: Arkansas: 48 – Missouri: 41

Arkansas led early and there were four ties and four lead changes before Mizzou used a 14-2 run, with a 10-0 spurt, to lead 32-25.
The Razorbacks made several charges but Mizzou answered each time, several times with 3-pointers. The last was a triple by Mizzou at the buzzer to give the Tigers their seven-point lead.
Both teams shot over 50% with Mizzou making 51% of its shots and Arkansas making 54%. However, the Tigers were 9-of-19 from 3-point range in the half while Arkansas was just 1-of-10.
The Razorbacks kept it close by blocking three shots, getting seven steals and forcing 12 turnovers.
The key stat was Mizzou out-rebounding Arkansas 20 to 8.
Caleb Grill led Mizzou with 13 points off the bench.
Karter Knox, Zvonimir Ivisic and Johnell Davis each scored nine points for the Hogs.
Johnell Davis continued his strong defensive play with three steals in the half.

SECOND HALF: Arkansas: 51 – Missouri: 37

Arkansas shot 56% from the field, going 5-of-8 (62.5%) from 3-point. Missouri was held to 34% from the field and 23.5% (4-of-17) from 3-point.
Arkansas was 18-of-24 from the free throw line and Mizzou was just 9-of-12.
Arkansas scored 51 points, its best point production of the second half this season. Arkansas score 50 second-half points versus Oakland. It was the third-most points in any half this season as Arkansas scored 60 in the first half versus UMES and 54 in the first half versus NC A&T.
Wagner led Arkansas with 12 second-half points and Ivisic had 11. The two combined to go 11-of-12 at the free throw line in the half.
Jonas Aidoo had five second-half rebounds to help Arkansas out-rebound the Tigers 20-15 in the second half.

GAME NOTES:

For the seventh-straight game, Arkansas’ starting lineup was D.J. Wagner, Johnell Davis, Karter Knox, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic.
Arkansas won the opening tip. Arkansas has won the tip 20 times in 27 games.
Mizzou’s Mark Mitchell scored the game’s first points at 19:14. Johnell Davis scored Arkansas’ first point with a layup at 18:18.
Trevon Brazile and Billy Richmond III were Arkansas’ first subs.
Arkansas is 7-9 this year when trailing at halftime. The seven-point halftime deficit was the third-biggest deficit to overcome this season. Arkansas was down 12 at the break versus Georgia and won and was down eight at halftime at Miami and won.
Arkansas improved to 4-5 all-time versus an AP #15 team. All four wins have come at home. Coach Calipari is 5-4 all-time versus AP #15.
Coach Calipari is 13-6 all-time versus Mizzou.
This was the 64th meeting between Arkansas and Missouri all time and the second of two this season.
Arkansas leads the all-time series, 36-28, and has won 9 of the last 12.
Since Missouri joined the SEC in 2012-13 the borders rivals have played 27 times with Arkansas owning a 17-10 advantage.
Arkansas leads 21-10 in games playing in Fayetteville, including an 11-2 mark since the Tigers joined the SEC.
After Mizzou went 8-of-19 (42.1%) from 3-point in the first half, the Tigers were held to 4-of-17 (23.5%) in the second half. Over the last 10 games, opponents are shooting just 18-of-92 (19.6%) from deep in the second half.
Johnell Davis tied his season and SEC highs with four steals. Over the last nine games, Davis has 26 steals (2.9 avg.).
Mizzou entered the game 1st in the NCAA in free throws made (20.1 per game) and third in free throw attempts (28.0 per game). Mizzou was held to 13-of-17, the fourth-fewest makes of the season.
Mizzou also entered the game averaging just 10.5 turnovers per game but committed 18 versus Arkansas.

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