Vanderbilt Run Too Much for Razorbacks

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt used a 20-3 run midway through the second half, including a 12-0 spurt, to take a 97-84 victory from #15/16 Arkansas Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gymnasium.

Vanderbilt led by as many as 14 (73-59) with 7:43 left. The Razorback worked their deficit to seven (78-71) after an old-fashion 3-point play from Joseph Pinion. Then, with 2:20 left, Pinion drained a 3-pointer from the left corner to get the Hogs to within six (83-77). However, Vanderbilt was able to answer each time down the stretch to hold on for the win.

The Commodores shot 69.2% from the field to score 63 points in the second half.

Five Commodores scored in double figures including 22 points from Tyrin Lawrence.

Arkansas was led by Ricky Council IV with 24 points and Anthony Black finished with 18 points. Davonte Davis finished with 17 points and Makhi Mitchell had 11 points and eight rebounds.

Arkansas stays on the road to play at Missouri on Wednesday (Jan. 18). Game time is set for 8 pm and it will be televised on SEC Network.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas: 42 – Vanderbilt: 34

• Arkansas took its largest lead, 42-32, with 49 seconds left in the first half on a seven-point possession. Arkansas made an old fashion 3-point play and went 4-of-6 at the line thanks to three technical fouls on Vanderbilt.
• Arkansas shot 55.2% from the field in the period while holding Vanderbilt to 36.7% shooting.
• Council scored 16 points (5-of-7 FG) and Black had 15 (6-of-8 FG)

SECOND HALF: Arkansas: 42 – Vanderbilt: 63

• Arkansas led by 10 on two occasions early in the second half. The last time (50-40) came on a 3-pointer by Mahki Mitchell.
• Vandy answered with an 11-6 run to lead by five. Anthony Black answered with a 3-pointer to get the Razorbacks to within two (61-59). The Commodores came back with a 12-0 run to lead by 14.
• Four Commodores scored in double figures in the second half.
• Devo Davis led Arkansas with 15 second-half points.

GAME NOTES

• Arkansas’ starting lineup was Anthony Black – Davonte Davis – Ricky Council – Makhi Mitchell – Makhel Mitchell for the first time this season.
• Arkansas won the tip.
• Tyrin Lawrence (Vandy) scored the first points at 18:21. Arkansas’ first point came from Makhi Mitchell at 17:56.
• Kamani Johnson was the first Razorback sub.
• Makhi Mitchell hit his first 3-pointer – and first attempted – this season. He has made eight for his career.
• Arkansas falls to 8-1 this season and 64-4 in the Musselman era when leading at the half. Coach Musselman’s college teams are 148-8.
• The 97 points allowed are the second-most by an opponent in the Musselman era. (Georgia scored 99 in Athens on Feb. 29, 2022.)
• The last time an opponent scored 60-plus points in a half was on the Hogs was Feb. 28, 1996 when Alabama scored 60 in the first half.
• Ricky Council IV, the SEC leader in minutes, played all 40 minutes at Vanderbilt. He has played all 40 minutes in regulation four times and played all 20 minutes of a half 15 times.
• Devo Davis played all 20 minutes of the second half. He has played all 20 minutes of a half six times this season.
• Since Vanderbilt had a “Black Out” game, Arkansas wore its home white uniforms. Specifically, the standard “Razorback” jersey. It was Arkansas’ first loss in the Musselman ear while wearing those uniforms, falling to 2-1 this season and 19-1 overall.
• Arkansas lost despite scoring at least 80 points. In the Musselman era, Arkansas is 35-5 when scoring at least 80 points.

For more­­ information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on Twitter.