Razorbacks top 100 points, but still can’t beat Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Arkansas scored a season-high 102 points and Khalif Battle, who had 34 points, became just the second Razorback to score at least 30 points in three straight game. However, No. 16/15 scored 111 points and, like the previous meeting, had a late run to get the win.

Arkansas had an 8-0 run midway through the second half to lead 74-72. The Razorbacks pushed the lead to nine twice, the second being 86-77 with 8:42 left after a Tramon Mark layup. Kentucky worked the deficit down and led by one, 91-90, with 5:23 left. Jeremiah Davenport answered with two free throws to give Arkansas a 93=92 advantage. From that point, Kentucky went on a 7-0 run and never surrendered the lead.

Both teams made 34 field goals but Kentucky was 34-of-42 at the line compared to Arkansas being 27-of-28.

Battle was 17-of-18 at the line in scoring his 34 points. The 17 makes ties Mark and two others for fifth-most in school history and second-most in an SEC game. The 18 attempts ties for 10th-most all-time and fifth-most in an SEC game. Battle also had a season-high eight rebounds. Mark pumped in 23 points with three assists and four steals.

Makhi Mitchell was 5-of-5 at the line and scored 13 points while Jeremiah Davenport scored 14 points with five rebounds.

Kentucky used a 15-3 run inside the final 3:30, including a 10-0 spurt, that led to a 53-48 halftime lead. Mark scored 15 in the first half and Battle, who had six rebounds, added 13. Antonio Reeves had 14 points to lead Kentucky.

Reeves led UK with 22 points and D.J. Wagner had 19 as a total of seven Wildcats scored in double figures.

The Razorbacks return home to host LSU on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

Hogs’ Postgame Notes

• Arkansas starters were El Ellis, Khalif Battle, Tramon Mark, Trevon Brazile and Chandler Lawson.

• Arkansas controlled the opening tip.

• El Ellis scored the game’s first points with a layup at 19:43.

• Makhi Mitchell was the first Razorback sub.

• Battle scored 30-plus in the last three games, including 42 vs. Missouri, 36 vs Vanderbilt and 34 today at Kentucky. The only other Hog to accomplish the feat was Mason Jones, who had 34 vs. South Carolina (01/29/20), 30 at Alabama (02/01/20) and 40 vs Auburn (02/04/20).

• Arkansas falls to 139-6 all-time when scoring at least 100 points. The last loss for Arkansas when scoring at least 100 points was a 112-105 loss to UNLV. The Rebels were ranked No. 1 and Arkansas was ranked No. 2.