Razorbacks never manage to get key shots to fall against No. 8 Florida

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas made several runs at No. 8 Florida but the Gators answered each time in a 71-63 win Saturday afternoon at Bud Walton Arena.

First, the Razorbacks used a 7-0 run, capped by a D.J. Wagner dunk, to cut the Razorback deficit to three (53-50). Then, Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr., hit a 3-pointer. Later, Arkansas had some momentum before Florida’s Alex Condon sealed the game with a 3-pointer with 2:02 left.

The defensive battle saw Florida shoot just 39.1% while Arkansas shot 30%. The Gators only shot 28.6% from 3-point range, but all eight of their makes came a key moments. Arkansas was just 3-of-16 from 3-point. Part of that strong defensive effort was Arkansas blocking eight shots and Florida blocking seven.

The Razorbacks were able to stay within striking distance as they posted season highs in both free throws made (24) and free throw attempts (35).

Alijah Martin led four Gators in double figures with 14 points. Alex Condon posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Adou Thiero led the Razorbacks with 17 points. Boogie Fland had 15 points and four assists. Jonas Aidoo just missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds while adding three blocked shots.

Arkansas plays its next two games on the road, first at LSU on Tuesday (Jan. 14) then at Mizzou on Saturday (Jan. 18).

FIRST HALF: Florida 28, Arkansas 25

• Arkansas opened the game with an 11-2 run.

• Florida answered with a 15-2 run to lead 17-13. Overall, Arkansas went 4:57 without scoring.

• The Hogs cut its deficit to one (23-22) with 3:41 left.

• Florida pushed its lead to six (28-22) until Arkansas’ Jonas Aidoo made a free throw with 16 seconds left.

• Trevon Brazile tipped in an offensive rebound with less than a second left to provide the 28-25 score at the break

• Brazile finished the half with seven points and five rebounds.

• Neither team shot the ball well. Florida was held to 314% and Arkansas only shot 29%.

• Florida out-rebounded Arkansas, 28-19, and beat the Hogs in second-chance points, 12-2.

• Arkansas has trailed at the half eight times now and are 4-4 in such games.

Arkansas Razorbacks point guard Boogie Fland against the Florida Gators at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. / Nilsen Roman-HitThatLine.com

SECOND HALF: Florida 43, Arkansas 38

• While Florida only shot 39.1% from the field, it did shoot 48.3% in the second half.

• Florida was 5-of-12 from 3-point in the second half.

• Alex Condon scored 12 second-half points for the Gators.

GAME NOTES:

• For the fifth-straight game, Arkansas’ starting lineup was Boogie Fland, D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox, Adou Thiero and Jonas Aidoo.

• Arkansas won the opening tip. The Razorbacks have won the tip in 14 of 16 games this year.

• Boogie Fland scored the game’s points with a jumper at the elbow at 19:49.

• Trevon Brazile and Johnell Davis were Arkansas’ first subs.

• Arkansas and Florida have met on 40 previous occasions, all since the Razorbacks entered the SEC for the 1991-92 season. Florida owns a 28-15 advantage in the series overall. Arkansas still holds a 10-8 in games played in Fayetteville.

• This was the second time this year Arkansas has faced a team ranked No. $8 in the AP poll. In game two, then No. 16 Arkansas lost to then No. 8 Baylor, 72-67, in Dallas. All-time, Arkansas is 3-7 versus AP No. 8 teams. However, Coach Calipari is 7-3 all-time versus AP No. 8 teams. (2-0 at UMass • 1-0 at Memphis

• 4-1 at Kentucky • 0-2 at Arkansas)

• For the first time in program history (SEC and SWSC), Arkansas opened the conference slate versus three top-25 programs including at No. 1 Tennessee, hosting No. 23 Ole Miss and hosting No. 8 Florida.