Razorbacks finish non-conference with a bang

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FAYETTEVILLE –  The University of Arkansas men’s basketball team stung the Delaware State Hornets with an 86-51loss at Bud Walton Arena on Saturday night. The Razorbacks shined in their final non-conference game of the season, as sophomore BJ Young put up his fourth-consecutive double-digit scoring game racking up 19 points on an impressive 8-of-9 shooting.

“This was a good way to end the non-conference schedule,” head coach Mike Anderson said. “It’s a game where I thought we attacked them offensively and defensively as well. We made shots, and when you make shots it makes a big difference.”

Arkansas fans in attendance were treated to a show as they saw all 13 of the Razorbacks score. Freshman Anthlon Bell finished with a double-digit scoring performance with 12 points off a career-high four three-point baskets. Bell led the Razorbacks to a 52 percent three-point shooting performance (10-19).

The Razorback bench contributed 41 of Arkansas’ 86 points en route to Arkansas’ fifth-consecutive victory. Arkansas ends its non-conference schedule at 9-4.

After trailing the Hornets in the opening minutes of the game, the Razorbacks began to hit their stride at the 15-minute mark going on a 16-0 run with Young and Powell scoring 14 of Arkansas’ 16 points. The run put the Hogs up 20-8, as they grabbed a 12-point lead with 10:54 left on the clock. The Razorbacks would keep up the pressure holding the Hornets scoreless for 6:25 as they racked up 11 points. In a first half full of Razorback highlights, one of the biggest of the night came when Michael Qualls picked off the Hornets at half court and dribbled the ball down the court for a momentous dunk that put Arkansas up 27-10.

Arkansas went into the locker room with a 25-point lead, 43-18. The Razorbacks held the Hornets to just 18 first-half points, which were the fewest by a visiting team in a first half since Arkansas held Florida A&M to 11 points on Feb. 16, 2011.

Leading the Razorbacks in the first half was Young, who went 4-of-4 for 10 points and two assists. Bell sank three three-pointers for nine points and tacked on one assist and a steal. As a team, Arkansas shot 63 percent from the field in the first half.

In the second half, Arkansas never let the Hornets get close, as it kept up its offensive and defensive pressure. A three-point basket by freshman Dee Wagner and a dunk by Young on the next possession gave the Razorbacks a 37-point lead with 5:12 remaining, 77-40.

Sophomore Charlie Henderson also chipped in three points in the second half for the first points of his career as a Razorback. The Columbia, Mo. native nailed a three-point basket from the corner that sent the Razorback bench to its feet.
Arkansas would conclude the game with a 35-point margin of victory and a score of 86-51.

“As we went to the bench we had more energy from the guys and we made shots,” Anderson said.  “The defense made easy opportunities for our offense and the bench and team played well.”

The Razorbacks hit the road for the start of Southeastern Conference play in a midweek contest against the Texas A&M Aggies on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 8 p.m., on ESPNU.