Jones’ 21, Bailey’s 20 paces Hogs’ win over UC-Davis

PHOTOS BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM

FAYETTEVILLE — Adrio Bailey scored a career-high 20 points, including eight on a 22-1 run in the final five minutes to pace Arkansas to an 81-58 victory over UC-Davis Monday night at Bud Walton Arena.

The game was the home opener for Arkansas and the first of four games as part of the Hardwood Showcase.

Arkansas improves to 26-0 in home openers at Bud Walton Arena and now have won 45 consecutive home openers.

The Razorbacks, who led by seven at the half, could not pull away from the Aggies early in the second half as Arkansas led by nine (63-54) with 5:19 left.

With 4:55 remaining, Bailey then hit the first of six consecutive free throws — adding a jumper — to spur the 22-1 run.

Aiding in the win, Arkansas made 21-of-27 from the free-throw line in the second half while the Razorback defense held the Aggies to just 25 percent shooting and 28 points.

Mason Jones led the Razorbacks with 21 points, making four 3-pointers, and led the team with eight rebounds, including seven in the second half. Joining Jones and Bailey in double figures were Isaiah Joe (14 points) and Daniel Gafford (12 points).

UC Davis was led by TJ Shorts II, who finished with 14 points.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 37 – UC Davis 30

• Arkansas raced out to a 10-0 lead – thanks to a pair of 3-pointers by Mason Jones and two buckets by Adrio Bailey – to force an early UC Davis timeout (16:12 on the clock).

• The Aggies worked their way back in the game and kept it between 5-10 points the rest of the first half.

• Mason Jones, who scored 11 in the opener versus Texas, scored 15 in the first half to lead the Razorbacks, making 5-of-6 from the field – including 4-of-5 from 3-ponit range.

SECOND HALF: Arkansas Uses 22-1 run to pull away

• Isaiah Joe and Adrio Bailey each made a pair of free throws to give Arkansas a 12-point lead to start the second half.

• Adrio Bailey made his first career 3-pointer at 8:40 to give Arkansas its largest lead – 16 points (58-42).

• UC Davis cut the deficit to nine, 63-54, with 5:19 left. However, Adrio Bailey scored eight points during a 22-1 run to extend the lead to 21 (76-55) with 2:05 left.

UP NEXT:

Arkansas will host Indiana in game two of the Hardwood Classic. The Hoosiers are just out of this week’s Top 25, coming in at 27th.

This will be Indiana’s first trip to Bud Walton Arena and just the third time the Hoosiers and Razorbacks have met. Both teams have won a game in the series with Arkansas winning, 86-72, in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

It is just the fourth time a Big Ten member has come to Fayetteville and Arkansas is 3-0 all time versus Big Ten members in Fayetteville, including 2-0 in Bud Walton Arena.

NOTES:

• UC Davis controlled the tip, but Arkansas scored first on a Mason Jones 3-pointer.

• Arkansas starters were Isaiah Joe (G) – Jalen Harris (G) – Mason Jones (G) – Adrio Bailey (F) – Daniel Gafford (F).

• Junior Adrio Bailey attempted his first career 3-pointer (a miss at 15:50). Sophomore Gabe Osabuohien also attempted his first trey – a miss at 14:15 on the clock.

• Arkansas is 2-0 all-time versus UC Davis. The Razorbacks also defeated the Aggies, 68-59, on Nov. 29, 2008 in Fayetteville.

• Like this year, that previous meeting was also Arkansas’ second game of the year.

• Arkansas is 86-10 all-time in home openers, has won 45 consecutive home openers. The Razorbacks additionally won each of their first 31 home openers.

• The Razorbacks are 26-0 in openers inside Bud Walton Arena.

• Mike Anderson is 17-0 in home openers as a head coach when playing his home opener, outscoring his opponents by 22.8 points in such games.

• Arkansas’ other games as part of the Hardwood Showcase including hosting Indiana (Nov. 18 on ESPN), Montana State (Nov. 21) and UT Arlington (Nov. 23).