FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas men’s basketball team, ranked 18th in the nation, found their rhythm after halftime, defeating Troy with a decisive score of 65-49 on Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena. After struggling offensively in the first half and trailing 27-26, the Razorbacks exploded in the second half.
Arkansas (2-1) made an impressive 14 of 22 field goals in the second half, including 8 of 12 from beyond the arc, turning around a lackluster first half where they shot only 10 of 34 and carried the weight of coach John Calipari’s concerns regarding their matchup against Troy, projected as a contender in the Sun Belt Conference.
The game shifted momentum when Johnell Davis’ basket allowed Arkansas to take the lead for good at 34-32, initiating a key 12-2 run. Despite a competitive effort from Troy (2-1), who briefly closed the gap to 41-38, Arkansas’s quick 7-0 surge helped seal their victory.
One standout was Zvonimir Ivisic, who made an outstanding impact after halftime, scoring 16 of his 19 points in that period. He displayed remarkable shooting skills, making 6 of 7 three-pointers and helping Arkansas break free from an early-season shooting slump. His performance was crucial, especially with key players Trevon Brazile and Jonas Aidoo sidelined due to injuries.
“I wanted him to fight to get back on the floor,” said Calipari of Ivisic, who had previously underperformed. “He fought and he blocked shots and he did good stuff.” Both Ivisic and Adou Thiero, who also netted 19 points, were pivotal in leading the Razorbacks to outscore Troy 39-22 in the second half. Notably, Arkansas effectively forced 24 turnovers, translating those into 24 points.
Defensively, the Razorbacks excelled, holding the Trojans to just 21 of 55 from the field and marking the first time Arkansas kept an opponent under 50 points since November 2022. Troy’s coach, Scott Cross, acknowledged that turnovers significantly hampered their defensive strategy, resulting in an inability to maintain their usual grit and toughness.
Looking ahead, Arkansas will host the Pacific Tigers on Monday. With the Razorbacks now gaining confidence from this strong performance, fans are hopeful they will build on this momentum.
Injuries remain a concern, as both Brazile and Boogie Fland sustained ankle injuries during the game, though Fland was able to contribute significantly with 12 points and 7 assists before the final whistle.
Overall, this strong second-half performance is a positive sign for Arkansas as they look to solidify their standing in college basketball this season, showcasing not only their offensive capabilities but also a solid defensive strategy that can challenge future opponents effectively.