Mark’s 18 not enough to keep Hogs from getting thumped

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas got back-to-back 3-pointers from Tramon Mark midway through the second half to cut Arkansas’ deficit to seven only to have South Carolina answer with a 15-3 run to push the lead to 19 en route to a 77-64 victory Saturday afternoon at Bud Walton Arena.

The Gamecocks shot 51.9% – the highest by an Arkansas opponent this season – thanks to shooting 61.5% from the field in the second half. South Carolina secured the win by going 9-of-18 from 3-point range, dishing out 20 assists on 28 made baskets and out-rebounding the Razorbacks 39-27.

B.J. Mack led the Gamecocks with 18 points – making 3-of-4 from deep – and nine rebounds. Ta’lon Cooper also played a key role in the win with 11 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Mark paced the Razorbacks with 18 points – 16 coming in the second half – Chandler Lawson contributed seven rebounds.

Arkansas steps away from Bud Walton Arena to play at Ole Miss on Wednesday before returning to host Kentucky on Saturday.

NOTES

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

• Arkansas controlled the tip to start the game.

• South Carolina’s Collin Broyles-Murray scored the first points of the game with a jumper in the lane at 19:19. Arkansas’ first points came from Trevon Brazile at 18:18.

• Jeremiah Davenport and Jalen Graham were the first Razorback subs.

• Devo Davis grabbed his 500th career rebound early in the second half. He is only six assists from becoming the second Razorback to amass at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists. Todd Day is the other to accomplish the feat with 2,395 points, 673 rebounds and 319 assists.

• El Ellis scored nine points and is just 55 points from 1,000 in his third year of Division I basketball.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.