The 18th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball team surged after halftime to secure a 65-49 victory over Troy on Wednesday at Bud Walton Arena. This win improves Arkansas’s record to 2-1 for the season.
Despite struggling offensively in the first half and trailing 27-26 at halftime, the Razorbacks found their rhythm in the latter half, converting 14 of 22 field goals and lighting it up from beyond the arc, hitting 8 of 12 three-point attempts. Head coach John Calipari expressed his initial concerns about the game, mentioning that he had sleepless nights thinking about the challenging matchup against Troy, a team predicted to finish third in the Sun Belt Conference.
Troy played solid defense in the first half, limiting Arkansas’s scoring opportunities, as the Razorbacks shot just 10 of 34 overall and missed 9 out of their first 11 three-point attempts. However, Arkansas flipped the script in the second half. Johnell Davis’s shot at 16:27 into the game gave them the lead, and the Razorbacks established a crucial 12-2 run shortly thereafter, asserting their dominance.
Adou Thiero made significant contributions alongside Zvonimir Ivisic, who after a slow start in the first half, exploded for 19 points in total, scoring 16 of those after the break. Ivisic showcased his shooting prowess, knocking down 6 of 7 three-pointers, an essential factor in the Razorbacks snapping out of an early-season shooting slump.
The Razorbacks’ defense was notable, forcing 24 turnovers from Troy, which led to 24 points for Arkansas. This was the most turnovers forced by an Arkansas team since December 2022. The second-half performance, which saw Arkansas outscore Troy 39-22, showcased the team’s potential, and Calipari believes that their defensive capabilities could define their season.
Unfortunately, Arkansas had some injury concerns, with Trevon Brazile and Boogie Fland sustaining ankle injuries during the game. Brazile did not return, while Fland managed to continue playing and ended up contributing significantly with 12 points and 7 assists.
As they look to build on this performance, the Razorbacks will host Pacific on Monday, which presents another opportunity for the team to refine their play and solidify their strategies moving forward in the season.
Overall, the shift in momentum for Arkansas following halftime indicates a promising ability to adapt and improve, setting a positive tone for the upcoming games. The Razorbacks are poised for success if they can replicate their second-half energy and maintain their defensive tenacity.