Defense steps up to pace 81-55 win by Hogs over Elon

Arkansas used a 17-0 run in the first half – holding Elon scoreless for the final 6:11 of the period – and cruised in the second half to claim an 81-55 victory Tuesday night in Bud Walton Arena.

The 55 points by Elon was the fewest by an Arkansas opponent this season as well as the fewest scored by the Phoenix this season.

Down five (26-21), the lineup of Davonte Davis, Kamani Johnson Trey Wade, JD Notae and Jaxson Robinson turned the Razorback fortune and gave the Razorbacks a 12-point (38-26) halftime advantage.

The Razorbacks pushed the lead to 30 with 7:08 left in the game. Elon showed some fight and answered with a 13-0 run to make it a 17-point game (68-51) with 4:09 to play.

However, Arkansas only allowed Elon to score four points the rest of the way – including two free throws with 24 seconds left – to secure the 26-point win.

Chris Lykes led Arkansas with 21 points, taking just eight shots and making 12-of-12 at the line, in his first start of the season.

Jaxson Robinson made his first three 3-pointers and finished with a career-high 14 points. JD Notae added 15 points and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds.

Kamani Johnson also had seven boards – a season-best – and he blocked a career-high three shots. Trey Wade also blocked three shots.

For the second time this season, Davonte Davis did not attempt a shot while leading the team with six assists and getting six rebounds.

Michael Graham led Elon with 14 points and Darius Burford had 12.

Up next, Arkansas begins SEC play with a trip to Mississippi State on Dec. 29 (Wednesday). Tipoff is set for 8 pm (CT) and the game will be televised on SEC Network.

First half recap: Arkansas: 38 – Elon: 26

• Elon led 26-21 with 6:11 left in the first half. However, Arkansas held the Phoenix scoreless the rest of the half and went on a 17-0 run for the 38-26 halftime lead.

• Chris Lykes was 8-of-8 at the free throw line and led Arkansas with 10 points.

• Jaxson Robinson tied his career high with nine points and made his first three 3-pointers.

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• Five different Razorbacks recorded a blocked shot.

• The Razorbacks shot 57.1% – including 60% (6-of-10) from 3-point range – and held the Phoenix to 37.9%.

• Arkansas was only whistled for six fouls and Elon did not attempt a free throw.

Game notes

• Arkansas’ starting lineup was JD Notae – Chris Lykes – Jaxson Robinson – Trey Wade – Connor Vanover for the first time this season. It was the first start of the season for Lykes, Robinson and Wade.

• Elon won the opening tip.

• JD Notae scored the game’s first points, a layup at 19:31.

• Jaylin Williams, Au’Diese Toney and Davonte Davis were the first Razorbacks’ first subs.

• Arkansas has won 16 straight games in Bud Walton Arena.

• Eric Musselman’s college teams are now 39-12 after a loss and his teams are now 79-29 (21-10) when playing on two days rest or fewer. (Muss’ teams are 41-4 overall and 14-2 at Arkansas when playing on two or fewer days rest.)

• Chris Lykes is the first Hog since Joe Kleine in 1983-84 to have multiple games in a season, making at least 10-of-10 at the free throw line. Lykes was 10-of-10 versus Kansas State earlier this year and 12-of-12 tonight. Joe Kleine was 10-of-10 versus both North Carolina and Houston. (HogStats.com)

• Chris Lykes is 31-of-31 at the free throw line inside the final 3:00 of games. He has made 17 straight at the line spanning the last three games.

• In addition to his career-high three blocked shots, Kamani Johnson had season highs in points (15), free throws made (9), free throws attempted (13) and rebounds (7).

• In addition to his season-high three blocked shots, Trey Wade had season highs in points (7), field goals (3-of-5), rebounds (5) and minutes (21:22).

• JD Notae scored 15 points and had seven rebounds. He is the only Razorback to score in double figures in all 12 games and this is the fifth time he has grabbed at least six rebounds in a game this season.

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• Davonte Davis had six assists and six rebounds. The six rebounds tied a season high. He has pulled down at least five boards five times and has at least five assists five times.

• After being out-rebounded in the last two games, Arkansas returned to its dominance on the glass, out-rebounding the Phoenix 41-27. It was the fourth time this season Arkansas had at least 30 defensive boards (with 31) and the 11th time in 12 games the Hogs held the opponent to single-digit rebounds (with 8).

• The 10 blocked shots were a season high and tied for the second-best total by an Eric Musselman college team. Arkansas had 11 rejections last season versus Alabama (2/24/21) and Musselman’s Nevada squad had 11 at Oregon State (12/05/15).