Big run late in second half keys Hogs’ big win

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas used a 12-3 run to end the first half and a decisive 19-6 run in the second half to take an 86-68 victory over Gardner-Webb Friday night at Bud Walton Arena.

For the second-straight game, Khalif Battle came off the bench to lead the #14 Razorbacks with his second-straight 21-point game.

Helping in the 18-point win was 15 blocked shots by the Razorbacks – five from Trevon Brazile and four from Makhi Mitchell. The 15 rejections were the most by an Eric Musselman-coached college team, tying for the third-most in Razorback history and the most by the Razorbacks in 32 years since having 15 versus South Alabama on Dec. 30, 1991.

Brazile finished with 10 points and seven rebounds (4-of-4 FG, 1-1 3PT), Tramon Mark had 14 points and El Ellis added 13 points with six rebounds.

Arkansas continues its homestand on Monday (Nov. 13) versus Old dominion. Tipoff at Bud Walton Arena is set for 7 pm and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 48, Gardner-Webb 36

• Gardner-Webb led the first 9:30 until a Tramon Mark basket put the Hogs up 16-15.

• Up three (36-33), Arkansas ended the half on a 12-3 run to lead 48-36 at the break.

• GWU start hot but finished shooting 37.1% from the field. Arkansas started slowly but ended up shooting 51.6% from the field.

• Makhi Mitchell had three blocked shots in the first half and led the Hogs with four rebounds.

• Khalif Battle led Arkansas with 13 points.

SECOND HALF: Arkansas 38, Gardner-Webb 32

• Arkansas started is 19-6 run with a 6-0 spurt to force a Gardner-Webb timeout. The run extended to 9-0 thanks to two blocked shots from Travon Brazile. Overall, Arkansas made eight-straight field goals during its 19-6 run to lead by 23 (69-46).

• Arkansas pushed its lead to 26 (86-60) after a Chandler Lawson 3-pointer with 4:30 left in the game.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Arkansas starters were El Ellis, Davonte Davis, Tramon Mark, Trevon Brazile and Chandler Lawson.

• Gardner-Webb controlled the tip to start the game.

• GWU’s Caleb Robinson scored the game’s first points at 19:54. Chandler Lawson scored Arkansas’ first points at 19:25.

• Khalif Battle and Makhi Mitchell were the first Razorback subs.

• Joseph Pinion entered the game 11-of-11 from the free throw line in his career. He missed his first FTA versus Gardner-Webb to snap his streak. He was 7-of-7 as a freshman and made his first four this season.

• Arkansas is 3-0 all-time versus Gardner-Webb and 2-0 versus the Runnin’ Bulldogs in the Musselman era.

• Davonte Davis is 50 points shy of 1,000 for his career.

• Eric Musselman is three wins shy of 100 for his Razorback career.

• Arkansas has shot at least 50% from the field in its first two wins and help their opponents below 40%.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.