Razorbacks manage to pull out win behind Ivisic, Thiero to down Troy

FAYETTEVILLE — The 18th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks, behind a career-high night from Zvonimir Ivisic and 19 points from Adou Thiero, used a 12-2 run and later a 7-0 run to pull away from Troy in the second half for a 65-49 victory Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks trailed most of the first half and were down three (32-29) with 17:09 left. Ivisic hit the second of his six 3-pointers on the night to tie the game and Johnell Davis followed with a layup to give Arkansas a lead it would not relinquish the rest of the game. That started the 12-2 run and the Razorbacks were 5-of-5 from the field over the span.

Myles Rigsby answered with a pair of jumpers to work the Trojans’ deficit down to three (41-38) with 12:08 remaining. However, Thiero made a jumper and slammed home an alley-oop before Boogie Fland capped a 7-0 run to go up 10. Troy ended the run with a free throw before Ivisic drained another 3-pointer to give the Hogs a double-digit lead the rest of the game.

Ivisic scored a career-high 19 points, making a career-high 6-of-7 from 3-point range, while adding a career-high five blocked shots and three steals. Sixteen of Ivisic’s points (5-of-6 from deep) and four of his blocks came in the second half.

Thiero also scored 19 points, including 12 in the second half, with seven rebounds. Fland, like Thiero, threatened a double-double as well with 12 points and seven assists.

Troy was led by Jackson Fields (13 points) and Rigsby (12 points).

Arkansas returns to action next Monday (Nov. 18) to host Pacific. Tipoff is set for 7 pm and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network Plus.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 26 – Troy 27

• Both teams struggled from deep, going a combined 5-of-22. Troy was 3-of-11 and Arkansas was 2-of-11.

• Also, the teams were a combined 6-of-8 at the line. Arkansas was 4-of-5 and Troy was 2-of-3.

• Troy out-rebounded the Hogs, 24-15.

• Adou Thiero led Arkansas with seven points.

• Arkansas blocked five shots, including two by Zvonimir Ivisic.

• Arkansas forced 11 turnovers thanks to eight steals.

• Arkansas only led once in the first half, 18-16, at 6:13. There were four ties.

SECOND HALF: Arkansas 39 – Troy 22

• It was a tale of two halves. Arkansas shot 29.4% from the field in the first half and 63.6% in the second. Arkansas was 8-of-12 from 3-point range in the period.

• Troy was held to 35.7% shooting in the half and was 0-of-8 from 3-point range.

• Arkansas had 11 of its 14 assists in the second half.

• While Arkansas was out-rebounded for the game, the Hogs held a 15-to-12 rebound advantage in the final 20 minutes.

GAME NOTES:

• Arkansas’ starting lineup was Boogie Fland, D.J. Wagner, Johnell Davis, Adou Thiero and Trevon Brazile.

• Arkansas won the opening tip.

• Troy’s Thomas Dowd scored the game’s first points, a 3-pointer at 19:07. Adou Thiero scored Arkansas’ first points, an old-fashion 3-point play at 18:49.

• Karter Knox was Arkansas’ first sub.

• Arkansas has won five straight in the series with Troy and leads the all-time series versus the Trojans, 6-1.

• Trevon Brazile and Jonas Aidoo both played in the first half but sat out the second due to injury.

• Ivisic is the only Hog (dating back to 1996-97) to have at least four made 3-pointers, four blocks and three steals. He is also the only 7-footer in Arkansas history to make at least five 3-pointers in a game. The previous best was Connor Vanover making four. (HogStats)

• Ivisic going 6-of-7 (87.5%) from deep, he ties for the second best 3-point shooting percentage in a game by a Hog with 7+ attempts, behind Jannero Pargo, 87.5% (7-8) – vs Florida, 1/26/2002, and tying Patrick Beverley, 85.7% (6-7) – vs Southeast Missouri St., 11/10/2006. (HogStats)

• Arkansas had 16 steals, the most since getting 16 versus Bradley on Dec. 17, 2022.

• Arkansas forced 24 turnovers, the most by an opponent since Bradley had 27 on Dec. 17, 2022.

• Arkansas is now 21-9 all-time when ranked #18 in the AP poll. The last time it won as the #18 team was Feb. 26, 2022 vs #6 Kentucky (75-73). Coach Calipari is 23-6 all-time when his team is ranked #18 in the AP poll, including a 13-1 mark at home.