Jason Geiken, Arkansas Tech University’s vice president for advancement and executive vice president of the ATU Foundation, is leaving to take a similar job at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Tramon Mark scored 22 points and, for the second straight game, Makhi Mitchell, who was celebrating his birthday, recorded a double-double (tying his career high of 19 points and tied his second-best rebound effort with 14) to lead Arkansas to a 91-84 victory Wednesday night at Mizzou Arena.
Jalen Graham added 13 points, four assists, four steals and three blocked shots while Keyon Menifield Jr., added 16 points off the bench.
The game was a tale of two halves.
Missouri scored first but only led for 19 seconds as the Razorbacks led by 13 twice and closed the half on a 12-2 run, including a 10-0 spurt, to lead 47-28. The 19-point lead at the break ties for the largest by the Hogs in an SEC road game. Ironically, the other 19-point, halftime lead on the road in an SEC game was 46-27 at Mizzou two years ago (Feb. 15, 2022).
Mitchell led the way with 14 points and eight rebounds and the Razorbacks were 3-of-4 from 3-point range while shooting 59.4 percent from the floor overall. On the other end, Arkansas held Mizzou to 32.1 percent shooting but the Tigers were 4-of-9 from 3-point range.
Missouri out-scored the Razorbacks, 56-44, in the second half thanks to going 6-of-11 from deep and 14-of-16 at the free throw line.
Mark and Mitchell were each 8-of-13 from the field. Mark added three steals and two blocked shots while Mitchell had four dunks to give him seven for the season.
Tamar Bates led Mizzou with 29 points, going 10-of-10 at the line. Mizzou finished 10-of-20 from 3-point range.
Arkansas stays on the road to play at LSU on Saturday (Feb. 3) at 11 am. The game will be televised on ESPN2
NOTES
For more information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on Twitter.
Today at 9:58 a.m.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Jason Geiken, Arkansas Tech University’s vice president for advancement and executive vice president of the ATU Foundation, is leaving to take a similar job at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Associated Press
Troy Trojans (2-0) at Arkansas Razorbacks (1-1)
Fayetteville, Arkansas; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: No. 18 Arkansas hosts Troy after Adou Thiero scored 24 points in Arkansas’ 72-67 loss to the Baylor Bears.
Arkansas went 11-6 at home last season while going 16-17 overall. The Razorbacks averaged 11.7 assists per game on 26.0 made field goals last season.
Troy finished 13-6 in Sun Belt action and 5-9 on the road last season. The Trojans shot 44.0% from the field and 35.1% from 3-point range last season.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Five-star prospect Meleek Thomas committed Monday to Arkansas, giving coach John Calipari and the Razorbacks their second top-10 recruit in the 2025 class.
Arkansas is now the only program in the country with multiple top-10 commits already in the fold, with Thomas, No. 9 in the ESPN 100 and the No. 2 shooting guard, joining Darius Acuff (No. 8/No.1 point guard).
Thomas chose the Razorbacks over hometown Pittsburgh, while UConn also had previously recruited Thomas and was on his final list.
“Everyone I spoke with was so positive on Coach Cal,” Thomas told ESPN. “He has touched so many lives with his guys becoming NBA players and so many others. He and the staff stayed in contact with both me and my family the whole time. I am big on family, and Coach Cal is a warm-hearted person who built a great relationship with both me and my family.”
Arkansas made a strong push down the stretch of Thomas’ recruitment to become the clear leader, with the Razorbacks’ new system a key aspect in his decision.
“Their play style was a separating factor,” Thomas said. “Coach Cal holds himself accountable and his players accountable. I am the type that wants to know the truth so I can learn and grow. They will have a lot of guys who can score, and I am comfortable coming in and playing defense right away.
“The crowds and energy for the program is exciting, and I want to be part of it.”
Thomas is a 6-foot-4 guard from Pittsburgh who is currently playing in the Overtime Elite program. He was one of the top scorers on the Nike EYBL circuit last spring, ranking ninth with 20.3 points per game. He also averaged 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists, shooting just under 34% from 3-point range. In six games with the New Heights Lightning at the Nike Peach Jam in July, he averaged 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting better than 37% from 3.
Thomas has a scorer’s mentality but also is capable of coming up with timely assists. He has a thin frame with decent quickness and speed, and is especially effective in transition, either leading the break or finishing the play. He is aggressive but confident with the ball in his hands, not rushing to get to his spot on the floor. Thomas can play both guard positions and has made strides operating in ball-screen situations.
Arkansas now has two of the elite guards in the 2025 class, with Thomas joining forces with Acuff in Fayetteville. Acuff, the top-ranked point guard in the country, committed to the Razorbacks in July. The two of them are enough to put Arkansas near the top of the 2025 recruiting class rankings — but the Razorbacks also are making a strong push for No. 5-ranked prospect Caleb Wilson.
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