After back to back losses on the road for Mike Anderson’s razorback basketball team, they bounced back nicely with a home win over the Tennessee Volunteers 73-60 on Saturday. With around 14,000 in attendance for Saturday’s game, the Hogs seemed to have gotten the confidence boost they needed as they now prepare to host #4 Florida on Tuesday. The Razorbacks were led by Sophomore point guard, BJ Young, who had 25 points in only 27 minutes of play and not starting the game.
After another switch up in the starting lineup which included: Marshawn Powell, Rickey Scott, Coty Clarke, Michael Qualls, and Mardracus Wade, the Hogs were able to get into a defensive rhythm early and forced 20 turnovers for the seventh time this season.
Junior, Marshawn Powell, and sophomore, Hunter Mickelson, were the other two Razorbacks to get into double figures. Mickelson finished with 10 points and 5 rebounds and Powell with 12 points.
The game shot out to a fast start between both teams and the Hogs finished the first half on an 18-7 run and forced 12 Tennessee turnovers as they headed into halftime with a 35-25 lead. Arkansas carried that momentum into the second half with a quick 6-0 run to open, but as the Razorback offense hit a rough patch, Tennessee made it’s way back into the game only down 49-40 with just under ten minutes to play.
But after a breakaway dunk by Hunter Mickelson and a Michael Qualls missed free throw rebound and stick back dunk, appeared to have brought Bud Walton Arena back to life and the Hogs never looked back. Qualls finished the game with an impressive 11 rebounds and 7 points to show for his first start as a Razorback.
Arkansas grabbed its fourth SEC win of the year after defeating Tennessee and improved to 13-8 overall and (4-4) in SEC play. The Razorbacks will host currently #4 Florida on Tuesday, February 5th, at 6 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.
The game will be televised on ESPN.
University of Arkansas
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