FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. No. 18 Arkansas improved to 2-1 on the season with a 65-49 win over Troy at Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday, but it wasn’t very easy.

After an alarming start that saw the stumbling Hogs reach halftime trailing 27-26, the home team turned up the intensity and blew the game open in the second half.

Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic scored 19 points apiece, and Boogie Fland poured in 12 to join them in double figures in the winning effort.

Here are three story stats from the action at Bud Walton Arena:

RAZORBACKS FIND SHOOTING MIM AFTER UGLY FIRST HALF

As it turned out, the red flags waving around Bud Walton Arena were early warning signs, unlike the Razorback backdrop, as the home team struggled to shoot 30.3% from the field and was just 2 of 11 from three in a first half of 26 points. was hard on the eyes.

Arkansas missed 10 of its first 12 shots from the field overall and eight of its first nine threes, with defensive combo Johnell Davis and DJ Wagner combining to score just two points on 1 of 6 shots in the opening frame.

The Razorbacks shook off the cobwebs at intermission, making nine of the first 11 field goals — including four consecutive threes — to open a commanding lead midway through the second half.

Arkansas’ blisteringly hot second half continued, with Ivisic making five of his six triples in the second half and serving as the spark plug for an offense that shot over 60% from the field and from long range in the second half.

The Razorbacks finished the night with a season-high 10 three-pointers on 23 attempts.

ARKANSAS CONTINUES TO PUT UP THE DEFENSE

Arkansas entered Wednesday’s game ranked 12th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom, and looked to be in a good role against Troy.

The Razorbacks could have easily trailed by double digits at halftime, but a stingy defensive effort kept Arkansas within striking distance and within a point (27-26) at the break.

While Arkansas struggled to connect from the perimeter, it also held Troy to just 3 of 11 shooting from beyond the arc and forced a dozen first-half turnovers with nine steals and five blocks, doubling the Trojans’ numbers in points behind turnovers, and held a +6 field goal margin at halftime.

Defense to attack remained the theme after the break. Midway through the second half, it was back-to-back steals that led to a quick 7-0 run that extended Arkansas’ lead to double digits for the first time.

The Razorbacks posted high numbers with 24 forced turnovers, 16 steals, 10 blocks and held Troy to 38.9% shooting overall, 15.8% on three made triples and just 49 points.

ARKANSAS’s thin front court is challenged around the edge

It’s worth noting that the Razorbacks missed more shots in the first half, but something that stood out in the box score at halftime was Troy outscoring Arkansas 25-15 overall by a +1 margin on the offensive glass.

It didn’t help that Trevon Brazile – who held five boards in the opening minutes – went down midway through the first half with what appeared to be an ankle injury, and Jonas Aidoo was clearly hobbled in the emergency minutes.

Both were ruled out for the second half, leaving the Hogs with sophomore Zvonimir Ivisic as the only active post player on the roster to go along with jumbo wing Adou Thiero.

Despite being short inside, Arkansas tightened up around the rim and at least played Troy to a near stalemate on the glass after the break.

Troy ultimately won the overall rebound battle (37-30) with a +4 advantage on the offensive glass – which is never ideal against a mid-major opponent – ​​but given the circumstances, Arkansas was able to limit the damage to just a dozen second-chance points. to take with you.

• Ivisic catches fire to save Hogs vs. Troy

• Razorbacks’ nightmare: Hogs’ secondary offense in Texas

• The Texas mastermind will have “Horns ready to shred Hogs.”

• Schools like Arkansas need a new approach to recruiting

• Razorbacks are trying to fix some early shooting issues

• What if Hogs could actually beat Longhorns? | Locked on Razorbacks

• Register and follow us YouTube
• Follow HogsSI X And Facebook