Adou Thiero, No. 20 Arkansas hold off Little Rock

Field Level Media|published: Fri 22nd November, 23:42 2024

NCAA Basketball: Arkansas-Little Rock at Arkansas

Nov 22, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Zvonimir Ivisic (44) grabs a rebound from Little Rock Trojans guard Isaiah Lewis (3) during the first half at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Adou Thiero had 23 points, eight rebounds and six steals for No. 20 Arkansas, which withstood a late charge from Little Rock to earn a 79-67 victory on Friday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Thiero blocked a would-be Ante Beljan dunk with 1:35 left to keep the Trojans from making it a two-possession game. Thiero then converted a dunk of his own on the other end.

Little Rock (3-3) limited Arkansas (4-1) to 7-for-22 shooting (31.8 percent) after halftime.

Mwani Wilkinson paced the Trojans with 18 points while Johnathan Lawson had 15 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Isaiah Lewis chipped in 13 points for Little Rock, and Belan added 10.

Boogie Fland (21 points), D.J. Wagner (11) and Zvonimir Ivisic (10) also finished in double figures for the Razorbacks. Fland added seven assists.

Arkansas rolled to a 42-24 halftime lead behind 18-for-31 shooting (58.1 percent) and a 13-0 edge in fastbreak points. Fland sparked the Razorbacks with 13 first-half points on 5-for-5 shooting, helping Arkansas lead by as many as 22.

Little Rock drew within 55-48 on a Lawson trey with 12:01 remaining in the game, striking seconds after Fland swooped in for a steal, then stepped out of bounds.

Wilkinson limped to the bench with an apparent ankle injury moments later, but he returned to the game.

Arkansas recovered to keep Little Rock at bay, as the Trojans never came closer than seven points the rest of the way. Fland sank a trey after a Little Rock shot-clock violation, his first basket of the second half, punctuated a 7-0 run that created a 14-point cushion with 8:19 to go.

Both teams committed 19 turnovers. Arkansas collected 10 of its 15 steals in the first half.

Arkansas forwards Jonas Aidoo and Trevon Brazile remained sidelined with injuries. Razorbacks coach John Calipari went seven players deep in his rotation, with the group ranging between 18 and 38 minutes.

The Razorbacks improved to 2-0 in the all-time series against the Trojans as the programs met for the first time since December 2021.

--Field Level Media