Walt Beazley

@RazorbackMBB Cruises Past Utah Valley

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A 21-2 run through the end of the first half and the start of the second propelled the Arkansas men’s’ basketball team to a convincing 79-46 win over Utah Valley on Saturday at Bud Walton Arena in its final non-conference game.

Riding a five-game win streak and owning an 11-2 record after non-conference play for the second straight year, the Razorbacks will open SEC action on Tuesday at Georgia (9-3).

Arkansas was led by senior Alandise Harris’ season-high 17 points off the bench, but it was the defense that stole the show. The Razorbacks limited the Wolverines to just 29 percent (17-58) from the floor while holding a commanding 55-30 edge on the glass. Utah Valley (5-9) scored 23 points in each half, marking the seventh time in the last 12 halves Arkansas has limited its opponent to less than 30 points.

The game was tied twice in the first three minutes before the Razorbacks led for the final 37:07 in the game. Utah Valley endured a 16:05 span that lasted from the end of the first half to midway through the second half in which it came away with points on 4-of-25 possessions, shooting 4-of-19 from the field with eight turnovers.

Harris’ 17 points topped four Razorbacks in double figures as he went 5-of-7 from the field and 6-of-8 from the free throw line. Sophomore Bobby Portis just missed his third consecutive double-double with 12 points and nine boards, while junior Michael Qualls nearly had his first career double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. Making his first career start, sophomore Moses Kingsley was the final player in double-digits with 10 points.

Arkansas’ 55-30 rebounding edge included 16 offensive rebounds that led to a 17-4 edge in second chance points and made up for a 40 percent (27-67) day from the field. Out of the 12 players that saw time for Arkansas, 10 grabbed an offensive rebound while 11 registered a field goal.

#RazorStat Of The Game
With the win, Arkansas improved to 9-0 at Bud Walton Arena this season, marking the third time in four years under head coach Mike Anderson that it has gone unbeaten at home in non-conference play. The Razorbacks have now won 26 straight non-conference home games.

Coach Anderson Postgame Sound
“We looked like we had our legs today compared to our last game after Christmas. Our depth and aggressiveness on the offensive glass were big keys because we didn’t have a good shooting night. I tell our guys all the time that not every game is going to be the same so you have to find different ways to win and today we overcame a so-so shooting night by attacking.”

@RazorbackMBB Quick Hits
• The 46 points surrendered is a season-low for Arkansas.
• Arkansas has now won 52 straight non-conference home games against unranked opponents.
• The Razorbacks have won 26 straight non-conference home games, including 22 at Bud Walton Arena.
• Marked the 29th time in the last 31 non-conference games Arkansas has scored 70+ points.
• The Razorbacks have limited its opponents to less than 30 points in seven of the last 12 halves.
• Arkansas has won the battle on the boards eight of the last nine games.
• Arkansas has 55 offensive rebounds over the last three games.
• Harris’ 17 points are his third-most as a Razorback (45) games and all three have come off the bench.
• First time in 10 games Portis or Qualls hasn’t led the way in scoring.
• Portis has now reached double figures in 16 of the last 17 games.
• Portis has led the way on the glass eight straight games and 10 times on the year.
• Madden has passed out 5+ assists in 10 games compared to nine times over his first three years.
• Qualls has reached double figures in 11 games.
• The double figure outing was the second of the season for Kingsley.
• Arkansas is 5-0 when junior Jabril Durham is in the starting lineup.
• Durham hasn’t committed a turnover in his last 78 minutes on the floor.

Up Next
Arkansas will open SEC play on the road for the third straight season on Tuesday when it heads to Athens, Ga. to take on Georgia at Stegeman Coliseum. Tip is slated for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.