In a thrilling college basketball matchup at Bud Walton Arena, the Arkansas Razorbacks overcame a halftime deficit to secure a decisive 75-60 victory against the UTSA Roadrunners on Saturday afternoon. The standout performance of the game came from Adou Thiero, who notched his second career double-double with a remarkable 26 points and 10 rebounds.
Entering the second half trailing by five points, Arkansas quickly shifted momentum with an explosive 8-0 run. The Razorbacks continued to dominate, outscoring the Roadrunners 21-6 in the opening minutes of the half, allowing them to establish a commanding 48-38 lead with just over 11 minutes remaining in the game. Thiero was instrumental during this stretch, contributing nine points, while Johnell Davis added another eight.
UTSA managed to stay competitive for a brief period until Trevon Brazile electrified the crowd with a spectacular alley-oop dunk from Davis, pushing Arkansas ahead by 11 points. From that moment on, the Razorbacks maintained a comfortable double-digit lead, effectively shutting down any hopes of a Roadrunners comeback.
Alongside Thiero’s impressive performance, Johnell Davis also played a crucial role, finishing the game with 13 points, 10 of which came in the second half. Boogie Fland showcased his playmaking abilities, dishing out seven assists as part of the team’s 15 total assists.
On the other side, UTSA’s offense was led by Primo Spears, who scored 19 points, while Marcus Millender contributed 18 points to the Roadrunners’ efforts.
The first half saw a tightly contested battle, with neither team able to pull away significantly. Arkansas initially took the lead, but UTSA responded with an 8-0 run late in the half, ultimately leading by as much as eight points after a dunk from Mo Njie. At halftime, the score stood at 32-27 in favor of UTSA, with Arkansas struggling to find their rhythm, shooting just 38.5% from the field.
Despite the shooting difficulties, Arkansas displayed solid teamwork with seven assists on their 10 made baskets. However, they also faced challenges, committing eight turnovers while forcing only two from UTSA. Remarkably, Arkansas committed only one foul in the first half, marking a record low for the team since records began in the 1981-82 season.
As the second half unfolded, Arkansas’s shooting improved significantly, allowing them to take control of the game. The Razorbacks shot a higher percentage, displaying a more aggressive offensive strategy that paid off in the end.
Looking ahead, the Razorbacks are set to hit the road again, preparing for the annual Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 7. In this highly anticipated matchup, Arkansas will face off against Michigan, following the first game of the Classic featuring Tennessee against Miami. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN, promising an exciting night of college basketball.
With this victory, Arkansas continues to build momentum as they navigate through the season, showcasing their potential as a formidable contender in college basketball.
