FAYETTEVILLE - Playing only one game three consecutive weeks, Arkansas coach Mike Anderson was worried his team had lost a rhythm heading into its current seven-game homestand.
While still inconsistent offensively, the Razorbacks have gotten back on the winning track through the first two games of the stretch, including a 71-57 win over Eastern Kentucky Tuesday night at Bud Walton Arena.
Mardracus Wade led Arkansas (7-3) with 13 points, but he was one of few bright spots on offense. The Razorbacks continued their recent shooting woes by hitting a season-low 31.6 percent of their shots.
Arkansas was able to overcome the struggles, however, by scoring 25 points off 19 turnovers.
“I thought this was a game where our pressure defense took its toll,” Anderson said. “I thought Eastern Kentucky is a very good basketball team and are good at what they do; they mix up their defense and I think at times it caused our guys to start thinking as opposed to just reacting.
“(Eastern Kentucky) is a team that has played many road games, so coming in here was a big ballgame for them. We knew we were going to get their best shot.”
VIDEO: Mike Anderson – Eastern Kentucky Postgame
After trailing by as many as seven points early on, Arkansas used a 21-4 first half run to take the lead and give the team some breathing room. The Razorbacks played with a four-guard lineup throughout the stretch, with BJ Young and Marvell Waithe each making significant contributions off the bench.
Young, who had made his first start in Saturday’s game against Southeastern Louisiana, scored 12 points. He was especially instrumental during a second half stretch to stymie one of several Eastern Kentucky runs to keep the game close.
The Southeastern Conference’s leading freshman scorer made a driving lay-up, recorded a steal on the other end of the court and hit a 3-pointer in transition to extend Arkansas’ lead to 61-44.
“When he’s out there he’s like automatic offense,” said Waithe, who finished with 11 points. “He played well.”
Arkansas led by as many as 19 points early in the second half, but couldn’t put Eastern Kentucky away until the closing minute. The Colonels (7-6) pulled within 66-56 with 3:10 remaining, but could get no closer.
“We’ve got to learn to how become a better finishing team, especially here,” Anderson said. “It doesn’t matter where you play, you’ve got to be able to finish out the game.
“We were able to get to the free throw line and tonight – unlike other nights – we cashed in on it.”
The Razorbacks finished the game 29-of-35 from the line, hitting 14 more free throws than its opponent.
Arkansas hit 8 of 9 free throws in the final 4 minutes, 34 seconds.
“Coach makes us take 500 shots a week and it’s starting to pay off,” Wade said. “If we keep working on our free throws every day, we’ll keep improving.”
Rickey Scott added eight points in the win for the Razorbacks, while Rashad Madden and Julysses Nobles each scored seven points.
Jaron Jones led Eastern Kentucky with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Arkansas will play its third game in six days on Thursday with a match-up against Louisiana Tech.
You can follow Matt Jones on Twitter @NWAMatt.
So proud of the hogs. Loved the full court press and testing the middle on offense. I think we are heading back to Arkansas basketball and I like it.
Im very proud of the job Coach A is doing, and what these guys have accomplished without Marshawn!! But we have got to start making those easy layups, especially on the fast breaks, if we are going to win or even be competitive in the SEC. Maybe a 500 layup drill each week would make those start to fall too.