FAYETTEVILLE — Thanks to 23 second-half points from Boogie Fland, No. 23 Arkansas turned a three-point halftime lead into a 30-point win, 92-62, over Oakland Monday night at Bud Walton Arena.
The game was the Razorbacks’ final non-conference game of the 2024-25 season.
Fland drilled three 3-pointers during a 12-2 run, including a 9-0 spurt, for an 81-58 lead to put the game out of reach with 3:35 left in the game. Overall, Fland, who only scored one point in the first half, was 9-of-10 from the field in the period, making all five of his 3-pointers in the half.
Fland, who leads all NCAA freshmen in assists, handed out six versus Oakland with zero turnovers. (Note: Entering the game, Fland ranked third among NCAA freshmen in assist-to-turnover ratio.)
Arkansas shot an impressive 63.3 percent from the field while holding the Golden Grizzlies to 25.8% shooting. Trevon Brazile played a key role in the defensive effort by tying his career high of six blocked shots, all in the in the second half.
Also, Arkansas only committed four second-half turnovers after having nine in the first half. In fact, Arkansas did not commit its first second-half turnover until the 8:58 mark of the second half.
In addition to tying his career high in blocked shots, Brazile narrowly missed a double-double for the second-straight game with nine points and eight rebounds.
While Fland sparked the second-half, it was Adou Thiero who led the Razorbacks in the first half. He scored 16 of his 20 points in the period. He added six rebounds, a career-high six assists, three steals and two blocked shots.
Karter Knox finished with 17 points, tying his career best with three 3-pointers made. Billy Richmond III scored eight points while handing out a career-high four assists.
Up next, Arkansas opens SEC play with a trip to #1 Tennessee on Jan. 4 (Saturday). Tipoff is set for 1 pm (ET)/Noon (CT) and the game will be televised by ESPN.
Arkansas 42, Oakland 39
• The half featured seven ties and seven lead changes. However, Oakland only led for 1:35 in the period.
• Arkansas shot 57.1% but committed nine turnovers. Oakland shot 55.2%.
• Adou Thiero led Arkansas with 16 first-half points and two steals. He also tied for the team lead with three rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot.
• Karter Knox added 10 points, going 2-of-2 from 3-point range.
• Tuburu Naivalurua and Allen David Mukeba each scored 12 points for Oakland.
Arkansas 50, Oakland 23
• Arkansas scored 50 points in a half for the third time this season. It was the first time to do so in the second half.
• Arkansas had 12 assists on 19 second-half baskets made.
• Arkansas blocked eight of its 10 shots in the second half.
• The 23 points by Oakland was the third-fewest by an opponent this season. UMES scored 20 and Troy scored 22.
• Oakland was 1-of-12 from 3-point range in the period. Arkansas by contrast was 7-of-13.
GAME NOTES:
• For the second 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 12 of 13 games.
• Oakland’s Allen David Mukeba scored the game’s first points with a layup at 19:08. Jonas Aidoo scored Arkansas’ first points with a dunk at 18:56.
• Trevon Brazile was Arkansas’ first sub.
• For the second straight game, Arkansas played without Johnell Davis. The Razorbacks have had at least one player miss all 12 games this season due to injury or illness.
• Jonas Aidoo only played 15:37 due to illness.
• Boogie Fland has dished out at least five assists in six straight games. Since 1991-92 (as far back as complete records go), Fland is tied for sixth for most consecutive games with 5-plus assists. Six Hogs have dished out at least five assists in six-straight games. The last Hog to accomplish it was Jalen Harris early in the 2018-19 season. Next on the list is Kareem Reid with seven-straight games. The top four are Jabril Durham (19 straight), Corey Beck (12 straight), Kareem Reid (11 straight) and Courtney Fortson (10 straight). (HogStats.com)
• Arkansas is 3-0 all-time versus Oakland and coach John Calipari improves to 2-1 versus the Grizzlies.
