Big Z’s big 3-pointer key part in Hogs holding off Lipscomb in opener

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas let a 15-point, second-half lead get trimmed to four before Zvonimir Ivisic hit a 3-pointer and converted an old-fashioned 3-point play to help the No. 16 Razorbacks pull away and start the John Calipari era on The Hill with a 76-60 victory over Lipscomb Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena.

Ivisic stopped an 11-0 Bisons’ run with a 3-pointer and, on the next Razorback possession, followed by an old-fashioned 3-point play. After a Lipscomb free throw, Ivisic capped the 8-1 run with a layup with 3:15 left to give the Hogs an 11-point lead and put the game out of reach.

Overall, Arkansas used a 14-1 run over five minutes to turn the four-point lead (60-54) into a 17-point cushion and out-scored Lipscomb 16-4 over the final 7:47 to start the 2024-25 campaign with a win.

Boogie Fland paced the Razorback scoring with 17 points and Johnell Davis added 15. Ivisic finished with 12 points and three blocked shots.

Up next, Arkansas hits the road to face #8 Baylor on Saturday (Nov. 9) in Dallas. Tipoff at American Airlines Center is set for 6:30 pm and will be televised on ESPNU.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 39, Lipscomb 28

• Arkansas scored first but Lipscomb led by five (17-12) with 10 minutes to go.

• The Razorbacks responded with am 11-0 run, highlighted by back-to-back steals leading to a Trevon Brazile dunk and D.J. Wagner layup.

• Lipscomb kept it close and was down three (29-26) after a 3-pointer by Gyasi Powell with 2:27 left.

• After two Lipscomb free throws with 2:07 left, Arkansas scored the final seven points of the half to lead 39-28. Karter Knox capped the run with a 3-pointer and a dunk.

• Arkansas started slowly on offense, but ended up shooting 52 percent from the field. The Razorback defense forced 11 turnovers thanks to eight steals.

• Johnell Davis led the Hogs with nine points. Boogie Fland had eight and Wagner added seven.

Arkansas Razorbacks’ Zvonimir Ivisic in the opener against Lipscomb at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. / Walt Beazley-Arkansas Communications

SECOND HALF: Arkansas 37, Lipscomb 32

• Arkansas led by 15 on three occasions in the second half, the last on a Jonas Aidoo jumper with 12 minutes to go before Lipscomb made its 11-0 run.

• Ivisic scored six-straight to end the Bisons’ run. In addition to Ivisic’s eight points in the final 16-4 run to end the game, Thiero had two dunks, Johnell Davis had a layup and Boogie Fland capped the scoring with a layup with 18 seconds left.

• Ivisic led Arkansas with 12 second-half points.

• Arkansas shot 56.7% from the field and held Lipscomb to 35.7% in the second half.

Arkansas Razorbacks’ Boogie Fland in the opener against Lipscomb at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. / Walt Beazley-Arkansas Communications

GAME NOTES:

• Arkansas won the opening tip.

• Boogie Fland scored the game’s first points, a jumper from the left elbow at 18:54.

• Boogie Fland is the first Razorback freshman to score the season-opening points for Arkansas since Bobby Portis versus SIU Edwardsville on Nov. 8, 2013.

• Trevon Brazile and Jonas Aidoo were the Razorbacks’ first subs.

• Arkansas improves to 4-0 all-time versus Lipscomb. The Hogs also beat the Bisons, 69-66, last year in North Little Rock.

• Arkansas is now 83-19 all-time in season openers and improves to 92-10 all-time in home openers.

• Arkansas has won 49 of the last 51 season openers and 51 straight home openers.

• John Calipari improves to 26-7 as a collegiate head coach in season openers and 30-3 in home openers.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.