Mitchell’s inside game paces Hogs finally getting win

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Makhi Mitchell made a layup with 54 seconds left to give Arkansas a 2-point lead and later made two free throws to put the Razorbacks up five with nine ticks left to help secure a 78-75 victory over Georgia Saturday evening at Bud Walton Arena.

In addition to Mitchell, the Razorbacks were led by El Ellis and Keyon Menifield Jr., each with 15 points. Ellis scored 10 of 15 points in the second half, including a 3-pointer with 1:42 left. He was 4-of-6 from the field in the half (2-of-4 from 3-point range). He finished with five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Menifield had 11 second-half points. Tramon Mark scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half and he added five rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

Thanks to Mitchel (14 points and three blocked shots), Menifield (15 points) and Jalen Graham (11 points), the Hogs’ bench out-scored Georgia’s, 44-20.

Arkansas’ defense led the way in the first half, holding Georgia to 35.7% shooting overall and just 1-of-12 from 3-point range. Overall, Georgia was just 4-of-18 (22.2%) from 3-point range for the game. The four 3’s made ties for the second-fewest by the Bulldogs this season and the 22.2% is the second-worst for Georgia.

In the second half, which featured six lead changes and eight ties, the Razorback offense was the key. The Hogs shot 73.3% (14-of-19) from the field, including 11-of-11 from inside the 3-point arc. Overall, Arkansas was 23-of-35 from 2-point range and the 65.7% shooting was the ninth-best in an SEC game. While Georgia shot 61,5% from the field in the second half, including 3-of-6 from 3-point, Arkansas had seven steals in the half as Arkansas out-scored the Bulldogs, 21-8, on points off turnovers.

The Razorbacks led for the final nine minutes of the first half and the first 12-plus minutes of the second half. Georgia ties the game at 55-55 with 7:25 left. From that point, the lead bounced back and forth. Silas Demary Jr., gave Georgia its last lead, 70-69, with a layup at the 2:05 mark. Ellis answered with a 3-pointer before UGA tied the game at 72 on a Justin Hill layup with 1:18 left. From that point, Mitchell sank two free throws and Arkansas held the lead the rest of the way.

The Hogs led by five, 34-29, at the break thanks to a 15-1 run – including a 10-0 sport – to put the Hogs up 25-19. Playing into the run was Arkansas holding Georgia to just 1-of-12 shooting from 3-point range, including the Bulldogs missing their first 11 attempts. Also, Arkansas forced seven turnovers to out-score UGA 12-1 on points off turnovers.

The Razorbacks stay at home to host No. 6 Tennessee on Wednesday (Feb. 14) with tipoff set for 8 p.m.

NOTES

• Arkansas starters were Layden Blocker, El Ellis, Tramon Mark, Jeremiah Davenport and Chandler Lawson.

• Georgia controlled the opening tip to start the game.

• Chandler Lawson scored the first points of the game with a layup in the lane at 19:10.

• Davonte Davis was the first Razorback sub.

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• Davis had three assists. He is just four assists shy of joining Todd Day as the only Razorbacks with at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists.

• Arkansas has six blocked shots, including three from Makhi Mitchell. Arkansas entered the game #2 in the NCAA in blocked shots (6.5 avg.) and has had a player with at least three blocked shots in a game in 14 of 23 games.

• Arkansas held Georgia to just four 3’s made. It was the second-lowest by a Razorback opponent this year and the 22.2% from deep is the second-lowest by a Razorback opponent. Entering the game, Arkansas opponents had made at least 10 3’s and shot over 50% in back-to-back games and shot at least 45% in 4-of-the-last-5.

• Arkansas’ 44 bench points are the second-most in an SEC game over the last five seasons (HogStats.com). Arkansas entered the game 13th in the NCAA in bench scoring. Arkansas has scored at least 40 points off the bench seven times this season and 6- of the top 7 bench scoring games in the Musselman era have come this season.

• Arkansas shot over 50% from the game for the eighth time this season. In the Muss era, Arkansas has only shot 50% as many as 11 times in a season (that coming last year in 36 games).

• Arkansas was down one, 70-69, with two minutes to play. The Razorbacks are now 1-11 this year when trailing with two minutes left and 9-44 in such games in the Muss era.

• On the flip side, Arkansas led 63-61 with five minutes to play. Arkansas is 11-0 this season when leading with five minutes left and 95-6 in such games in the Muss era.

• When at least five Hogs score in double figures in the same game, Arkansas is 3-0 this year and 26-2 in the Musselman era.

• Arkansas is 9-0 this year and 37-2 in the Muss era when shooting at least 50% from the field.

• Arkansas is 10-2 this year and 67-11 in the Muss era when out-rebounding its opponent.