Arkansas takes down Georgia in big SEC clash at home

Razorbacks top Bulldogs 78-75 with team effort

From the University of Arkansas

arkansasrazorbacks.com

Arkansas Takes Down Georgia February 10, 2024 FAYETTEVILLE – Makhi Mitchell made a layup with 54 seconds left to give Arkansas a 2-point lead and later made two free throws to put the Razorbacks up five with nine ticks left to help secure a 78-75 victory over Georgia Saturday evening at Bud Walton Arena In addition to Mitchell, Arkansas was led by El Ellis and Keyon Menifield Jr., each with 15 points. Ellis scored 10 of 15 points in the second half, including a 3-pointer with 1:42 left. He was 4-of-6 from the field in the half (2of-4 from 3-point range). He finished with five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Menifield had 11 second-half points. Tramon Mark scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half and he added five rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

Thanks to Mitchel (14 points and three blocked shots), Menifield (15 points) and Jalen Graham (11 points), Arkansas’ bench out-scored Georgia’s, 44-20.

Arkansas’ defense led the way in the first half, holding Georgia to 35.7% shooting overall and just 1-of-12 from 3-point range. Overall, Georgia was just 4-of-18 (22.2%) from 3point range for the game. The four 3’s made ties for the second- fewest by UGA this season and the 22.2% is the second-worst for Georgia.

In the second half, which featured six lead changes and eight ties, the Razorback offense was the key. Arkansas shot 73.3% (14-of-19) from the field, including 11-of-11 from inside the 3-point arc.

Overall, Arkansas was 23-of-35 from 2-point range and the 65.7% shooting was the ninthbest in an SEC game. While Georgia shot 61,5% from the field in the second half, including 3-of-6 from 3-point, Arkansas had seven steals in the half as Arkansas outscored the Bulldogs, 21-8, on points off turnovers.

Arkansas led for the final nine minutes of the first half and the first 12-plus minutes of the second half. Georgia ties the game at 55-55 with 7:25 left. From that point, the lead bounced back and forth. Silas Demary Jr., gave Georgia its last lead, 70-69, with a layup at the 2:05 mark. Ellis answered with a 3-pointer before UGA tied the game at 72 on a Justin Hill layup with 1:18 left. From that point, Mitchell sank two free throws and Arkansas held the lead the rest of the way.

Arkansas led by five, 34-29, at the break thanks to a 15-1 run – including a 10-0 sport – to put the Hogs up 25-19.

Playing into the run was Arkansas holding Georgia to just 1-of-12 shooting from 3point range, including the Bulldogs missing their first 11 attempts. Also, Arkansas forced seven turnovers to outscore UGA 12-1 on points off

turnovers.

Hog Highlights

• Arkansas starters were Layden Blocker, El Ellis, Tramon Mark, Jeremiah Davenport and Chandler Lawson.

• Chandler Lawson scored the first points of the game with a layup in the lane at 19:10.

• Davonte Davis was the first Razorback sub. Davis had three assists. He is just four assists shy of joining Todd Day as the only Razorbacks with at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists.

• Arkansas has six blocked shots, including three from Makhi Mitchell. Arkansas entered the game #2 in the NCAA in blocked shots.

• Arkansas held Georgia to just four 3’s made. It was the second-lowest by a Razorback opponent this year the-last-5.

• Arkansas’ 44 bench points are the second-most in an SEC game over the last five seasons (HogStats.com).

Up Next

The Razorbacks stay at home to host #6 Tennessee on Wednesday with tipoff set for 8 p.m.