FAYETTEVILLE — The 18th-ranked Arkansas men’s basketball team found its stride in the second half, securing a 65-49 victory against Troy on Wednesday at Bud Walton Arena.
With this win, Arkansas improved its record to 2-1. The Razorbacks bounced back from a lackluster first half, shooting 14 of 22 from the field in the second period, including a remarkable 8 of 12 from beyond the arc. They faced a narrow deficit at halftime, trailing 27-26.
Coach John Calipari expressed his concerns about the match-up with Troy, a team predicted to finish third in the Sun Belt Conference. “I didn’t sleep good last night,” Calipari admitted after watching game footage. “I woke up at 4 o’clock in the morning thinking about this game.”
Troy, with a record of 2-1, drew the Razorbacks away from their preferred style of play in the early going. In the first half, Arkansas struggled offensively, managing only 10 of 34 shots and just 2 of 11 from three-point range. Troy’s coach, Scott Cross, praised his team for their execution of the game plan in the first half.
The game shifted when Arkansas took the lead for good with a basket from Johnell Davis at 34-32, igniting a 12-2 run that solidified their advantage. Although Troy narrowed the gap with consecutive layups, Arkansas quickly responded with a decisive 7-0 run that included key plays from Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic.
Ivisic emerged as a standout performer, scoring 16 of his 19 points in the second half and nailing 6 of 7 three-pointers. Calipari had previously pulled Ivisic from the starting lineup due to a disappointing performance against Baylor but lauded his determination to regain his spot.
Both Ivisic and Thiero, each finishing with 19 points, contributed significantly to Arkansas’s success. Thiero’s performance also included 7 rebounds and crucial second-half scoring.
In the defensive department, Arkansas excelled, forcing 24 turnovers from Troy, the most turnovers forced this season. This allowed the Razorbacks to convert those mistakes into 24 points. The second half saw a stark contrast, with Arkansas holding Troy to just 22 points.
Despite injuries to key players such as Trevon Brazile and Boogie Fland, Arkansas managed to demonstrate resilience and depth in their roster. Brazile’s injury, sustained during the first half, prevented him from returning, while Fland played through an ankle scare to finish the game with 12 points and several assists.
Jackson Fields led Troy with 13 points, while Myles Rigsby contributed 12.
The Razorbacks’ next game will be against Pacific on Monday at 7 p.m., as they aim to continue their positive momentum following this victory.
This game serves as a reminder of the Razorbacks’ potential and resilience, showcasing their ability to adapt under pressure and emerge stronger in subsequent halves. Fans can remain hopeful as the team continues to develop and build chemistry in the early part of the season.