Arkansas

Arkansas Battled #6 Kentucky, But Lost 63-57

Published

11 months ago

January 27, 2024

Arkansas Battled #6 Kentucky, But Lost 63-57

FAYETTEVILLE – Despite a double-double from Makhi Mitchell (12 points and 13 rebounds) and Arkansas out-rebounding Kentucky, 44-39, the #6 Wildcats used an 8-0 run late in the game to secure a 63-57 victory Saturday afternoon at Bud Walton Arena.

The 13 rebounds by Mitchell were a season high as well as being his best total in an SEC game.

Arkansas led at halftime and seven minutes into the second half and was down one with 2:54 left to play before the 8-0 run. Antonio Reeves started the surge with a 3-pointer, D.J. Wagner followed with a layup and Reed Sheppard capped the run with a 3-pointer with 1:27 left. The last two baskets for the Wildcats came from Razorback turnovers.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, each going 9-of-31 from the field (29%), Arkansas making just 2-of-10 from 3-point range and Kentucky making just 2-of-9.

The difference in the second half was Kentucky making 7-of-11 from 3-point range with Arkansas going 2-of-9.

The 24 first-half points by Kentucky were the fewest by the Wildcats in the series with the Razorbacks (97 total halves of basketball) – HogStats.com. Overall, the 63 points was the second-lowest by Kentucky this season. The Wildcats entered the game first in the NCAA in scoring at 89.9 ppg.

Kentucky was led by Sheppard’s 24 points with Tre Mitchell adding a double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds).

Arkansas was led by Mitchell’s 12 points and four blocked shots. He was 8-of-10 at the line with the eight makes tying his career high. Khalif Battle and Tramon Mark each added 11 points. Chandler Lawson contributed seven rebounds.

Arkansas hits the road for its next two games. First, the Razorbacks play at Missouri on Wednesday (Jan. 31) at 7 pm and will close the week at LSU on Saturday (Feb. 3) at 11 am.

NOTES

Arkansas starters were El Ellis, Khalif Battle, Tramon Mark, Jalen Harris and Chandler Lawson.
Kentucky controlled the tip to start the game.
El Ellis scored the first points of the game with a 3-pointer at 17-45.
Makhi Mitchell was the first Razorback sub.
Arkansas entered the game third in the NCAA in blocked shots and finished with nine. With Mitchell’s four blocked shots today, Arkansas has had a player with at least three blocked shots in a game in 12 of its 20 games.
Trevon Brazile missed the game due to right knee soreness.
Arkansas is now 7-12 all-time versus the AP #6 team and falls to 4-4 in such games at home. Ironically, the last Razorback win over #6 was versus Kentucky on Feb. 26, 2022, in Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas now trails Kentucky 14-35 in the all-time series and 8-10 in games in Fayetteville. Kentucky has won two straight in the series after Arkansas had won three straight. Coach Muss is 3-3 all-time versus Kentucky (all at Arkansas).
Layden Blocker was a team-best +7 in 5:27 played. Jalen Graham, who battled foul trouble, was +3 in 17:51 played.

For more information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on Twitter.

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Arkansas

Arkansas basketball drops back out of AP Top 25

Published

7 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

Arkansas basketball drops back out of AP Top 25

The Arkansas Razorbacks (11-3, 0-1 SEC) fell back out of the AP College Basketball Top 25 on Monday.

The drop out of the rankings comes after Arkansas split its games last week. The Hogs took a 92-62 win over Oakland to finish the non-conference slate, but were thrashed 76-52 on the road by No. 1 Tennessee on Saturday to open conference play.

The Razorbacks did, however, receive the second-most votes of unranked teams.

This week isn’t much easier for the Hogs, who will face two teams ranked in the Top 25, though the two games come at home. No. 23 Ole Miss comes to Fayetteville on Wednesday and the Hogs will face No. 8 Florida on Saturday.

All told, there are nine SEC teams in the AP Poll: No. 1 Tennessee, No. 2 Auburn, No. 5 Alabama, No. 6 Kentucky, No. 8 Florida, No. 10 Texas A&M, No. 14 Mississippi State, No. 17 Oklahoma and No. 23 Ole Miss.

According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Razorbacks rank 40th overall (12.5 BPI, 11th in SEC) with a 5.6 offensive and 7.0 defensive rating. Arkansas is projected to finish with an 18.8-12.2 (7.8-10.2 SEC) overall record and it has a 0.2% chance to win the SEC.

Despite the blowout loss on Saturday, Arkansas’ NET ranking actually improved one spot from last Monday. The Razorbacks sit at No. 40, up from No. 43 last week. The Hogs are 1-3 in Quad 1 games, 1-0 in Quad 2, 2-0 in Quad 3 and 7-0 in Quad 4.

Here is the full AP Top 25 from Monday:

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Arkansas

3 area athletes, 1 coach selected for All-Arkansas Preps football team

Published

14 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

3 area athletes, 1 coach selected for All-Arkansas Preps football team

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has announced its All-Arkansas Preps football team, and the Twin Lakes Area is being represented by three athletes and a coach. Salem junior defensive lineman Keagan Sanderson was named to the first team. According

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Arkansas

Texarkana, Arkansas, Board of Directors to appoint assistant mayor, consider runway project | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

22 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

Texarkana, Arkansas, Board of Directors to appoint assistant mayor, consider runway project | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

TEXARKANA, Ark. — A long-serving city leader will be installed as assistant mayor Monday at the Board of Directors’ first regular meeting of 2025.

Ward 2 Director Laney Harris will take the oath of office in line with a 2023 ordinance that lays out the order directors are appointed to the one-year term of assistant mayor.

The rotation, which began in 2023, is Ward 1, Ward 6, Ward 2, Ward 4, Ward 5 and Ward 3.

Ward 6 Director Jeff Hart, who did not seek reelection in November, was the assistant mayor in 2024.

Harris represented Ward 2 for two terms until 2005 and has been re-elected every four years since 2008.

In other business, the board will consider a resolution authorizing Airport Executive Director Paul Mehrlich to enter a contract with McClelland Engineering for a runway strengthening project at Texarkana Regional Airport. The project is for the 6,602-foot asphalt runway designated as 4-22.

McClelland has given a cost of $502,203.20 for engineering and design. The state of Arkansas will cover $451,982.88 of the fee, with the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, absorbing $22,503.73. The city of Texarkana, Texas, will be left with the remaining $27,716.59.

The two Texarkanas jointly own the airport.

The Arkansas side’s share of the expense was part of its budget for fiscal year 2024, according to meeting documents.

In August 2024, the Arkansas Legislative Council approved $16.7 million for upgrades at the nearly 100-year-old airfield.

“The infrastructure improvements will include the expansion of the runway and taxiways that will enable the airport to take on cargo and maintenance repair overhaul work. The improvements will also equip the airport to support larger aircraft, including the Boeing 777,” according to a news release.

The Board of Directors meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 216 Walnut St.

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