Battle near Hogs’ record, but did hit SEC milestone downing LSU

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Khalif Battle continued his scoring spree by scoring 29 points, while Makhi Mitchell had 19 points and El Ellis 16, to lead the Arkansas Razorbacks to a 94-83 victory over LSU Wednesday night on Senior Day at Bud Walton Arena.

Battle was one point shy of becoming the first Razorback to score 30-plus in four straight games. However, his 141 points over a four-game SEC span is the most in the league over the last 20 years. Jodie Meeks (Kentucky) scored 134 points over four games in 2009, followed by Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht (132) this year and Razorback Mason Jones (129) in 2020.

Battle added three blocked shots – a career-high and he entered the game with eight for his four-year career.

Ellis was 6-of-7 from the field (2-of-2 from three-point range) to score his 16 points, adding four assists and three steals. Mitchell just missed a double-double with 19 points, going 8-of-10 from the field, and eight rebounds while adding three blocked shots.

Arkansas scored first and led for 37:57, compared to LSU holding the lead for just 28 seconds.

The Tigers cut its deficit to four twice, the last coming with 11:343 left and Arkansas leading 60-56. Mitchell made two free throws and a layup followed by a Battle 3-pointer to force an LSU timeout. LSU did not go away and trailed by five (69-64) with 6:55 left. Michell scored four points in an 11-2 run to put the Hogs up 14 (80-66) with 4:09 remaining to help secure the win.

Overall, Arkansas shot a season-high 60.8% (31-51) from the field, which is the fifth-best percentage in an SEC game. The Razorbacks dished out 18 assists, the best in an SEC game this season and third-best this season overall. And, for the fourth time this season, Arkansas blocked double-digit shots, tallying 10 compared to LSU’s zero.

The Razorbacks, which led 42-35 at halftime, shot 60 percent in the half but built the lead by going 12-of-14 at the line. The Tigers were just 5-of-7 from the charity stripe.

In addition to Battle, Mitchell and Ellis, Arkansas was led by Tramon Mark and Jeremiah Davenport. Mark had nine points, eight assists, a team-high five assists and two blocked shots. Davenport scored five points with five rebounds and four assists.

LSU was led by Jordyn Wright’s 24 points and Tyrell Ward’s 19 points.

The Razorbacks close the regular season on Saturday (Mar. 9) at Alabama. Tipoff is set for 11 am (CT) and the game will be televised on ESPN.

Hogs Game Notes

• Arkansas starters were El Ellis, Khalif Battle, Tramon Mark, Trevon Brazile and Chandler Lawson.

• Arkansas controlled the opening tip.

• Trevon Brazile scored the game’s first points with a putback at 18:49.

• Davonte Davis was the first Razorback sub.

• After the game, seniors Jeremiah Davenport, Chandler Lawson, Makhi Mitchell and Davonte Davis were recognized.

• With the win – coupled with a loss at LSU earlier this year, Arkansas improves to 12-4 when losing to a team first and meeting the same team later in the season. Arkansas avenged earlier losses to Georgia and now LSU, while falling to Kentucky twice.

• The last time Arkansas has at least 10 blocked shots and its opponent had zero was 2006 when the Hogs had 10 and Alabama had none (HogStats).

• The 74.3% two-point field goal percentage is a school record in an SEC game and ties for the third-best total overall in the 3-point era (HogStats).

• Arkansas has scored 80-plus in four straight games and has scored over 50 points in the second half in four straight.

• Khalif Battle was 13-of-14 from the free throw line. He missed his first free throw at Kentucky, finishing 17-of-18 for the game. He made his first 8 versus LSU for a streak of 25 straight.

• Arkansas slipped from 2nd to 7th in the NCAA in blocked shots over the past three games, getting just 2 versus Missouri and one each versus Vandy and Kentucky. The 10 rejections tie for 8th-most in an SEC game. With Mitchell getting three blocked shots vs LSU, Arkansas has had a player with at least three blocks in 16 of 30 games this season.,

• Arkansas has made at least 26 free throws in each of the last five games including 28-34 (82.4%) at Texas A&M, 28-34 (82.4%) vs Mizzou, 26-31 (83.9%) vs Vandy, 27-28 (95.4%) at UK and 27-33 (81.8%) vs LSU.

• For the 8th time in nine games, Arkansas held its opponent below 30% from 3-point range. LSU was just 5-of-18 (27.8%).