Razorbacks' pressure leads to victory

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas men’s basketball team (9-1) ran its winning streak to seven Saturday evening with a 95-56 victory over Northwestern State (8-5). Stefan Welsh scored a career-high 27 points, including six makes from behind the three-point line, also a career mark.

The junior guard totaled 17 first-half points and scored 10 points in the second half to end his career outing. Welsh connected on eight of 13 shot attempts and added five rebounds to his stat line. His previous career best was a 24-point effort earlier this season during Arkansas’ 79-77 win at South Alabama.

The Hogs also got double-digit efforts from Courtney Fortson, Marcus Britt and Andre Clark. Fortson finished the game with 18 points and nine assists, and spurred a first-half run that turned an early deficit into a 39-point victory, Arkansas’ 41st consecutive non-conference win.

Britt put in a career-high 15 points and was perfect from behind the three-point arc on three attempts. Clark poured in 10 points, a career high for the North Little Rock native. Michael Sanchez collected 10 rebounds against Northwestern State, his fourth game of the season with 10 or more boards.

Arkansas’ defense forced 29 turnovers and held the Demons to 35.5 percent shooting from the field. Conversely, the Razorbacks had only 13 rebounds while posting 21 assists on the night.

Less than two minutes into the game, the Razorbacks trailed, 8-2, before Fortson checked into the game. On his first offensive possession, the freshman guard had a three-point play when he was fouled on a layup and scored the ensuing free throw. Fifteen seconds later, Fortson registered a steal that led to two more points for the Razorbacks. By the time he checked out of the game with his second foul at the 12:14 mark, the Hogs had gone on a 17-4 run.

For the third time in its last four games, Arkansas scored at least 50 first-half points. The home team led, 54-25, at the break and improves to 7-0 when leading at halftime. The Razorbacks’ 29-point lead at intermission is their largest of the season.

The Hogs return to action Tuesday as they host the fourth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. The game is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. tip at Bud Walton Arena. For more information and continued coverage, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.