FAYETTEVILLE - It wasn’t pretty, but stop short of calling any win by Arkansas’ young team ugly this season.
The Razorbacks remained perfect at home with a 69-60 win over LSU at Bud Walton Arena on Saturday, picking up a valuable victory ahead of a two-game stretch against Kentucky and Michigan in the coming week.
Arkansas (13-4, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) overcame a sluggish offense before halftime to bounce back from a loss at Ole Miss in the midweek. The Razorbacks hit 13 of 24 shots in the second half, led by another strong effort from freshman guard BJ Young.
Young scored 19 points and added four assists, while Julysses Nobles (15 points) and Mardracus Wade (14) also scored in double-figures.
The trio helped Arkansas to an impressive 9 of 18 performance from beyond the 3-point arc. Wade’s third 3-pointer early in the second half helped fuel a 9-0 run that gave the Razorbacks the lead for good.
“The 3-pointer was something we had to knock down today, and we stepped up and took big shots,” said Young, who hit a pair of 3-pointers. “Coach (Mike) Anderson gave us a lot of confidence to take those shots.
“They left guys open and we had some guys who made some shots.”
LSU (11-6, 1-2 SEC) kept the game close thanks to its advantage on the inside. Seven-footer Justin Hamilton scored 20 points and added eight rebounds for the Tigers, which outrebounded the Razorbacks 46-38.
After giving up 18 offensive rebounds in the loss to Ole Miss, Arkansas allowed 17 more Saturday night. But unlike the Rebels, LSU struggled to capitalize on several of its follow-up opportunities, scoring just 11 second-chance points.
The Tigers struggled to handle Arkansas’ pressure defense, hitting only 24 of 69 field goal attempts. LSU also committed 16 turnovers.
“It was a hard-fought game on the inside and a lot of fouls were being called,” said Hamilton, who fouled out in the game’s final minute.
“We did a good job on the boards because of our size advantage. In the second half, it was just a matter of they made shots when they needed to and we didn’t make the shots we needed to make.”
Devonta Abron recorded 13 of Arkansas’ 38 rebounds, but the freshman fouled out with 3:43 remaining. LSU briefly took advantage of the forward’s absence, twice pulling within five points on Hamilton dunks.
It was as close as the Tigers could get, however. Despite hitting only 16 of 28 free throws for the game, Arkansas made 9 of 14 after halftime.
It was one of the many ways the Razorbacks took another step forward in a season that will include plenty of steps back.
“I’m really proud of our guys playing against an LSU team that was playing well,” Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said. “I thought it was a team that was pretty evenly matched against us.”
You can follow Matt Jones on Twitter @NWAMatt.
Proud of these young hogs. They could of folded when Lsu came back a couple times there but they didn’t, now let’s have that same resolve on the road. WPS
Love Devonta’s 13 boards … keep at it!
We needed that win, for i’m worried what is going to happen in these next 2 games. We definetly need to work on freethrow shooting as a team, in these next games you’re going to need all the free points you can get. Without mentioning names, we have a foreword that is not batteling for rebounds or looking for passes coming through his way half the time and its hurt us the last 2 games for sure. This team plays too hard and deserves to have all their teamates give their all and keep their heads in the game! He played hard and good in the Miss. St. game but has slacked off big time since in my opinion the last couple games,when hes out we play better as a team when in other team does better at rebounding and putting it back in with little resistance. Got to play hard while on the court and don’t stand there like a traffic cop! Need to play hard like Hunter and Abroms all the time not in a couple 2 minute spurts here and there.
The rebounding is going to continue to be a problem simply because we are often outsized by our opponents. Nevertheless, I like that we are winning at home–that’s the first step.
Giving up offensive rebounds means your not blocking out. Don’t just watch the ball when someone shoots — find the man closest and put your body on him. BLOCK OUT!!!
I will not go up in arms because we lose the rebounding battle. WE ARE SHORT as as a team literally and figuratively. As long as there is energy and effort which has been the case for the most part I’m okay with it. We have a roster full of guards! Better days will soon come and we are about to reach last years win total with a young/under-sized team.
Ole Miss game was ugly. This helps. If we finish out 500 ball we make NCAA. I did not think it was possible this year. We need road win badly to get it out of their heads. Play at home proves their toughness and skills. We were losing horribly to some bad teams at home under Phailfrey, we now have added 13 victories to start to rebuild those home stats.
Somebody write this down, or bring me my medication; Hogs first road win of the year is at Kentucky. Wade drops a 3 with 2 secs to go in a heated game that Anderson gets tossed with 1:45 to play in regulation. No alcohol folks, just the same kool aid left over from football season
Great effort, great crowd, great game !! Keep the Hawgtrain rollin’ team !
A win is a win is a win. Right now even with our youth our guards can play with just about anyone in the SEC. Should be a great recruiting tool that if you’re a good big man you’ll probably get a lot of minutes your first year. MA will get it done….he’s too competitive not to get it done. Crowds coming back…..WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!
A win is a win is a homerhog grin.
HogAuthority, Ill be the one that needs the medicine if that happens at Kentucky with this young team! But, that would surely take the road loss monkey on our back off and propel us into a whole new phase as a basketball team. Is it just me or does this young team seem to play to the level of its competition. If so, I would more than be happy to take a valuim and a shot of cough medicine after the Kentucky game.
Top post. I look forward to reading through much more. Cheers