Razorbacks Use Big Second Half to Avert Upsetting Holiday

Hogs use guard combo of Tramon Mark, Khalif Battle to wake up slumbering offense

Author:
Daniel Shi
Updated:
Dec 22, 2023 12:15 AM EST
Original:
Dec 21, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After sleepwalking through the entire first half, Arkansas finally figured it out in the second half. Khalif Battle and Tramon Mark were the key in an 83-73 win over Abilene Christian before a small gathering Thursday night.

Trailing by seven at the break, the Razorbacks finally proved that they have some semblance of pulse on offense. A wide-open corner three by Battle cut the lead to just 43-40. Battle and Mark, the only two players who have shown the ability to provide consistent shotmaking, spurred the Hogs on a 10-0 run to take a 47-44 lead. They scored 31 of the Razorbacks' 55 points in the second half

Arkansas came out flat-footed again and never found its footing throughout the first half. The Razorbacks finished the opening 20 minutes with more turnovers (12) than field goals (nine) as Musselman grew more despondent as the first half transpired.

Razorbacks coach Eric Musselman against Abilene Christian on Thursday night — Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images

"Stunk," coach Eric Musselman said of the first half. "Stunk, stunk and stunk some more."

Despite never shooting the ball well, the Razorbacks used solid defense to take itself out to an early 14-7 lead as Abilene Christian missed 13 of its first 15 shots from the floor. Chandler Lawson was a factor early with a layup and a top-of-the-key triple to provide the sparse early offense.

Despite getting 23 first-half rebounds compared to the Wildcats 16, a combination of offensive fouls and active Abilene Christian defense jumping in passing lanes mean that the Wildcats were the team with 10 extra field goal attempts in the first half.

The visiting team's shooting struggles would not continue as they slowly worked their way back into the game going on a 10-1 run to take a seven-point lead. Leondardo Bettiol provided the presence inside while guard Ali Dibba led all scores with 10 in the first half.

Razorbacks' Tramon Mark drives inside against Abilene Christian — Arkansas Razorbacks guard Tramon Mark drives inside against Abilene Christian on Thursday night at Bud Walton Arena.
Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images

Meanwhile, Arkansas' only offense came at the free throw line, but after Makhi Mitchell split a pair of free throws to lead to four, a buzzer-beating wing triple stretched the lead back to seven, 35-28.

The second half was a different story. The Razorbacks came out of the break far more aggressive. A driving layup by Mark to open his account in the second half led to a three-point play and announced his intentions as the Hogs slowly chipped away. After the initial spurt that turned the first-half deficit into an advantage.

"We played harder," Mark said. "We played not just harder but also very smart. To be honest I think we play hard a lot but not necessarily on the smart side of playing harder and competing and stuff like that."

After suffering a scary fall in the final moments against North Carolina in the Bahamas, this was the first game that Mark looked like he was back to full health. Before his injury, the Houston transfer guard led the team in scoring.

Mark continued to attack the basket. Once the Razorbacks finally led again with an emphatic dunk, they never looked back and nurtured the lead home. A 16-7 run capped off by a Mark jumper in the paint stretched the lead to double figures for the first time all night.

Who else but Mark to pull up with 2:22 left in the game with ice in his veins to apply the coup de grâce and finish an up-and-down night. The Razorbacks finish non-conference play Dec. 30 against UNC-Wilmington. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network and fuboTV .