The Arkansas Razorback men’s basketball team improved to 18-11 overall and 9-7 in conference play after its win over Kentucky 73-60. Arkansas was led by junior Coty Clarke who recorded his first ever double-double in a Razorback uniform. Along with Clarke’s 14 points and 12 rebounds, the Hogs outscored the Wildcats 30-2 in points off turnovers and grabbed 20 offensive rebounds to grab the 13 point win. In front of a crowd of over 18,000 fans, the Razorbacks defeated Kentucky for the second consecutive time in Bud Walton Arena and the 13 point margin was the most by any Arkansas team versus Kentucky. Three Razorbacks finished in double figures: Powell with 15 points, Clarke with 14 points, and sophomore BJ Young with 13 points.
In the first five minutes of the game, Kentucky jumped out to a 12-6 lead hitting 5 of their first 7 shots; but once Clarke jump started the offense with a monstrous dunk,he and Powell lead Arkansas on a 7-0 run to take the lead 13-12. With a rowdy crowd in Bud Walton Arena that booed Arkansas native Archie Goodwin every time he touched the ball; helped the Hogs take a 32-29 lead into halftime that went back and forth most of the way. Junior Marshawn Powell lead the Razorbacks at halftime with seven points and five boards.
Arkansas came out explosive in the second half with an 11-0 run that started with a three-pointer by junior Fred Gulley III and ended with a three-point play by Powell. However, the most defining moment of the game was when sophomore Hunter Mickelson received a breakaway pass behind the back from freshman Michael Qualls and finished with a two hand slam to put the Razorbacks up 59-45. The Hogs forced 19 Wildcat turnovers and 11 steals while only committing seven turnovers the entire game.
Arkansas improved their record at Bud Walton Arena this season to 15-1 and will look to grab their second conference road win of the season at Columbia, Mo. to take on the Missouri Tigers. Tip-off is scheduled forTuesday night, March 5th at 6 p.m. on ESPN.