Hogs extend winning streak, downing Aggies

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas picked up its third home win against a ranked opponent this season, defeating No. 21 Texas A&M, 94-75, in front of a sold-out Bud Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks were led by their two high-scoring senior guards Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon, along with freshman forward Daniel Gafford.

Barford and Beard combined for 41 points, marking the ninth time this season (8-1) that the duo has combined for 40-plus points. Barford led the way with 21 points, while Macon added 20, marking the sixth time this season that both have scored 20-plus points in the same game (6-0).

Gafford accounted for 18 points of his own, going 7-of-8 from the floor to go with six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.

Arkansas came out of the locker room and hit the Aggies early. The Razorbacks drilled three straight three-pointers, including back-to-back by Barford, to open the game on a 13-4 run.

Texas A&M settled in, though, going on a 10-3 run of its own to cut the Arkansas lead to two. Gafford scored eight straight for Arkansas, part of a 17-6 Razorback run to give Arkansas its largest lead of the first half at 35-22.

Gafford reached double figures in scoring in the opening frame, leading Arkansas with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.

After going back and forth for the first four-plus minutes of the second half, Arkansas was able to run off a 9-1 run, including a streak of seven straight to take a 16-point lead, forcing the Aggies to call a timeout.

Senior guard Daryl Macon would account for seven of Arkansas’ first 17 points in the second period, including this three in transition.

The Aggies could not string a large enough run together to make it interesting or slow down the Razorbacks, as Arkansas topped 90 points for the 11th time this season, including the ninth time at home.

Texas A&M entered Saturday as the third-best rebounding team in the country, leading the SEC, with 41.92 rebounds per game.

Arkansas put an emphasis on rebounding the ball Saturday, outrebounding the Aggies 45-33.

Arkansas went on to record its largest win of the season in conference play (19 points) to move to 19-8 on the season, 8-6 in SEC action.

The Razorbacks return back to Bud Walton Arena on Tuesday to host the Kentucky Wildcats (18-9, 7-7 SEC) for an 8 p.m. tip off on ESPN.

Game Notes

• Arkansas has won 10 straight over the Aggies inside Bud Walton Arena, a streak dating back to 1986.

• The Razorbacks are 34-6 in the last 40 games inside Bud Walton Arena.

• In 47 Saturday games inside Bud Walton Arena under head coach Mike Anderson, the Razorbacks are 42-5, winning 13 straight.

• The win gives Arkansas three ranked victories at home for the first time in six years.

• The Razorbacks are 14-1 in Bud Walton Arena this season with a +17.1 average margin of victory, including a +130 scoring margin in the first half.

• Arkansas is 37-23 against AP top 25 teams in Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks have won four of the last five such games.

• Arkansas has won 36 consecutive games in which it has led at halftime. During Mike Anderson era, the Razorbacks are 121-7 when leading at the intermission.

• During the Mike Anderson era, Arkansas is 87-11 when scoring 80+ points, including wins in 32 of the last 33games.

• Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon have both scored 20+ points in the same game six times this year. Arkansas is 6-0 in those games.

• Arkansas has recorded 11 victories over AP Top 25 teams during the Mike Anderson era, including at least one in six of his first seven years.