Men's Basketball
Battle leads Razorbacks to dominating win over Alcorn State
Khalif Battle starts season fast with a 21-point outing along with Jalen Graham back from back injury.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Khalif Battle led all scorers with 21 points off the bench to lead No. 14 Arkansas to a 93-59 season-opening victory over Alcorn State Monday night at Bud Walton Arena.
Tramon Mark added 16 points while Trevon Brazile pumped in 13. Brazile and Battle led the team with a +23. Other key contributors included Jalen Graham (eight points and eight rebounds) and Davonte Davis (five points, five rebounds and five assists with zero turnovers and a +21).
The Razorbacks led, 46-22, at halftime and out-scored the Braves by 10 in the second half to secure the win.
Arkansas had 20 assists on 28 made baskets and snagged 14 rebounds while out-rebounding Alcorn, 44-26 for the game.
Jeremiah Gambrell led Alcorn with 17 points (nine in the second half) and Byron Joshua had 12 points (10 in the second half).
Arkansas continues its homestand on Friday (Nov. 10) versus Gardner-Webb. Tipoff at Bud Walton Arena is set for 7 pm and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network Plus.
Trevon Brazile (Andy Hodges / HitThatLine.com)
FIRST HALF: Arkansas 46, Alcorn State 22
• Arkansas had 13 assists on 16 made baskets. Devo Davis had four assists to lead the Hogs.
• Tramon Mark led the Razorbacks with 13 points, making 3-of-5 from 3-point range.
• Khalif Battle added 12 points off the bench, making -2of-5 from 3-point range, and Trevon Brazile had nine points thanks to three dunks.
• Brazile had a thunderous dunk to start the game and the Razorbacks held the lead the entire first half.
• Arkansas held the Braves to 37 percent shooting from the floor and just 1-of-4 from 3-point range.
Tramon Mark (Andy Hodges / HitThatLine.com)
SECOND HALF: Arkansas 47, Alcorn State 37
• Arkansas had seven assists on 12 made baskets but the Hogs only shot 44.4% from the field.
• After struggling from the free throw line in the first half, Arkansas was 17-of-22 from the line.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Arkansas starters were El Ellis, Davonte Davis, Tramon Mark, Trevon Brazile and Chandler Lawson.
• Arkansas controlled the tip to start the game.
• Trevon Brazile scored the game’s first points on a dunk at 19:41.
• Makhi Mitchell was the first Razorback sub.
• Arkansas is 82-19 all-time in season openers and 91-10 in home openers. Arkansas has won 48 of the last 50 season openers dating back to 1974-75.
• Arkansas has won 50 consecutive home openers since 1974-75 and are a perfect 31-0 in Bud Walton Arena for home openers.
• Eric Musselman is 9-0 all-time as a collegiate head coach in both season and home openers.
• Arkansas is 6-0 all-time versus Alcorn State
• Arkansas finished with seven dunks.
Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.
