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With Fans in Stands, Hogs Play Complete Game Against Little Rock

Arkansas razorbacks put best performance on display against in-state Trojans

Daniel Shi

Arkansas Razorbacks guard Boogie Fland (2) and Little Rock Trojans guard Isaiah Lewis (3) reach for a rebound in the first half at Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas Razorbacks guard Boogie Fland (2) and Little Rock Trojans guard Isaiah Lewis (3) reach for a rebound in the first half at Bud Walton Arena. / Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas put together its best first-half performance of the season against the Little Rock Trojans, leading wire-to-wire in the win, 79-67.

"We’ve got stuff that we’ll be able to work on," coach John Calipar saidi. "Because it became a close game, it ends up being good for us. Who’s making plays? Who do you have to get out of the game? Who do you have in the game? What do you try to do to score offense?"

As has become customary with the Razorbacks, the evening would not be complete without drama. After shooting 58% from the field in the first half, the Hogs made just two field goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Little Rock took advantage and used two threes to spur a 10-0 run to cut the lead back to single digits at 51-43, the closest the score had been since it was 7-0 less than two minutes into the game. Mwani Wilkinson led the Trojans with 18 points.

DJ Wagner, who made his first three of the season in the previous game against Pacific, hit back-to-back threes to crush any hopes of a comeback.

"’I've been getting a lot of shots up in the gym, so during the game it’s just like I’m working out," Wagner said. "I try to get shots up before practice. I try get 300 or 400."

The Razorbacks played suffocating defense. Little Rock started 1-for-10 from the field as the Hogs blitzed the Trojans with a 17-3 start.

Although Arkansas' three-point shooting has improved since its woeful start, the Hogs did not need the three early. They forced seven turnovers in the first six minutes and did not make a three until over eight minutes into the game.

Arkansas continued to be disruptive on defense, scoring 15 points off 12 Little Rock first-half turnovers.

Guard Boogie Fland finished with 20 points, including a perfect 5-for-5 start from the field in the first half.

Adou Thiero continues to be the Hogs' most consistent player, leading the team with 23 points. He stretched the lead back to 18 with a highlight dunk.

"My teammates get mad at me whenever I don’t do a trick or something," Thiero said. "I might as well do a trick this time. I didn’t know the dude actually kept running behind me."

Arkansas will finish the four-game home stand against Maryland Eastern Shore 7 p.m. Monday. The game will be streamed on SEC Network.

HOGS FEED:

• Live Blog: Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Little Rock Trojans

• High tech machine makes it easier for players to break out of shooting slumps, improve

• Arkansas Wary of Trojans' Disruptive Defense Tonight

• Weird season could finish somewhat decently for Razorbacks

• Hogs lose in another rout; ORU beats Neighbors on home floor

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Daniel Shi
DANIEL SHI